French President Francois Hollande on Saturday urged Europe to be "firm" in its response to new US President Donald Trump, who has called Britain's exit from the bloc a "wonderful thing".

"When there are statements from the US president about Europe and when he talks about Brexit being the model for other countries, I think we should respond," he told reporters in Lisbon, adding Europe should engage in a "firm dialogue" with Washington. Hollande is scheduled to speak to Trump later Saturday.