Abe, Macron discuss Nissan-Renault alliance

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and French President Emmanuel Macron held bilateral talks on the sidelines of the Group of 20 summit in Buenos Aires on Friday, apparently to discuss the alliance between Nissan Motor Co., Renault SA and Mitsubishi Motors Corp.

The meeting was believed to be brief as Japanese government officials described the leaders as “making contact.”

Carlos Ghosn, who masterminded the alliance, was arrested on suspicion of understating his remuneration in Nissan’s annual securities reports and was subsequently dismissed as company chairman.

In response to the arrest, Nissan is seeking to review its capital relationship with Renault, as the French automobile company has a dominant position over Nissan. However, the negotiations with Renault are expected to be tough, and the Japanese and French governments have engaged in a battle of nerves over the future of the alliance. The issue has reached a stage such that the two countries’ leaders have become involved, and attention has been focused on how to calm the situation.