French President Emmanuel Macron said that Western countries including Germany should discuss ways to stimulate their economies at a G7 meeting this weekend amid fresh fears of recession.<br />'' <br />'' He told reporters in Paris that there is a need to ask ourselves the question in countries that have the capacity about the need for budgetary stimulus. <br />'' <br />'' France is eager for Germany to increase its public spending to combat its economic downturn, but Berlin is highly resistant to the idea of raising its borrowing and public debt.<br />'' <br />''<br />''Tensions have flared over Brexit, where Berlin has generally preferred a softer line than Paris, as well as budget policy where Merkel was unhappy over France's decision to increase its budget deficit.<br />