French Finance Chief Plans Tax Hikes to Tackle Deficit

  • Armand is studying how everyone can ‘contribute intelligently’
  • Business lobby head says companies are ready to make an effort
Antoine Armand arrives for a Cabinet meeting in Paris on Sept. 23.Photographer: Ian Langsdon/AFP/Getty Images
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The French government is studying targeted taxes on the wealthy and large companies as it tries to navigate an urgent need to repair finances without undoing President Emmanuel Macron’s pro-growth reforms, newly appointed Finance Minister Antoine Armand said.

His comments come as investors ditch French assets amid political turmoil, with the risk premium on the country’s debt approaching its highest since the euro-area crisis.