PARIS — Renault shares powered to a seven-year high on Friday as forecast-beating quarterly sales overshadowed signs of growing tensions with the French government over its influence on the carmaker. Sales jumped 13.7 percent to 9.39 billion euros ($10.14 billion) in January-March, with a recovery in Europe's long-suffering autos market more than making up for a collapse in Russian demand and weak emerging economies. However, the strong performance comes amid signs of tensions with the French state, which is seeking to increase its voting rights at the business — something which Renault has warned could endanger the “survival and success” of its alliance with Japanese carmaker Nissan. Two people with knowledge of the matter told Reuters on Thursday that French Economy Minister Emmanuel Macron had written to Renault boss Carlos Ghosn to defend the government's position. They said the April 21 letter was shared with Renault board members and interpreted by some as a warning against retaliation. — Reuters