France Says No Tax Hikes as Nations Weigh How to Pay Virus Bill

In a rush to reinvent economic and fiscal policy for the post-pandemic world, France is vowing to not repeat history: no tax increases this time, Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire says.

With European economies reopening from over two months of shutdowns, governments are grappling with the challenge of accelerating a shaky recovery while drawing plans to pay the bill for the trillions they’re spending to protect jobs and companies.

In the aftermath of the global recession and the ensuing euro-zone crisis, many pursued spending cuts to get a handle on debts. That was a struggle in France, which relied ...