The French government minister in charge of stimulus efforts is warning against German-style austerity measures but is also playing down any talk of a rift between Paris and Berlin.

Patrick Devedjian says an austerity plan for France "would be dangerous because it risks killing growth." France's recession was less severe than many leading economies, but growth remains anemic.

Germany announced a broad plan Monday to cut welfare benefits and shed government jobs, to save money and set an example amid Europe's financial crisis.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy canceled a trip to Germany on Monday at the last minute. Devedjian said Tuesday on France-2 television that the cancellation was due to tensions within Germany's coalition government.