However, their diplomatic efforts at a scaled-down UN General Assembly were overshadowed and complicated by the lasting impact of President Donald J. Trump. Biden worked to repair strained relations with France by speaking with President Emmanuel Macron and by having Blinken meet with his French counterpart in New York. French officials criticized the Biden administration for not informing them about a deal with Britain and Australia that affected a submarine contract. President Ebrahim Raisi of Iran suggested during a speech to the global body that there was little difference between Biden and Trump, mentioning their foreign policy slogans. In response to Biden's goals to reduce global carbon emissions, an editorial in Beijing's Global Times newspaper raised concerns about the potential for a Republican administration in the future to reverse these promises, echoing similar sentiments expressed by the Iranians regarding a potential return to the 2015 nuclear deal. During a news conference to conclude a week of diplomacy, Blinken provided a positive evaluation. He mentioned that US officials had engaged with representatives from over 60 countries and highlighted American leadership on climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic. When asked about recent criticisms of US foreign policy, including the Afghanistan withdrawal, stalled nuclear negotiations with Iran, and diplomatic tensions in Paris, the secretary of state stated that he had not personally heard such complaints during his time in New York that week. Blinken expressed that the feedback he had received in response to the president's speech and the direction of the country was overwhelmingly positive and supportive of the United States. This statement was made as he prepared to leave a weeklong diplomatic gathering that cautiously resumed in-person meetings after last year's virtual UN event due to the coronavirus pandemic. Many world leaders did not attend this year's meeting, such as the presidents of Russia, China, and Iran. This lack of presence eliminated the possibility of any potential spontaneous encounters between the President of the United States and a foreign adversary, as had occurred in previous sessions. Biden's time at the event was brief, as he left shortly after giving his address on Tuesday. During his speech, he highlighted how America's withdrawal from Afghanistan marked the end of 20 years of war following the events of September 11, 2001. He also emphasized the United States' commitment to a new era of collaborative diplomacy in addressing global issues such as climate change, the coronavirus pandemic, and the rise of authoritarianism. The speech was a significant tribute to global cooperation and stood out in comparison to Trump's lack of diplomacy. However, criticism has been mounting that some of Biden's key policy decisions resemble Trump's tactics. French officials were surprised by the US submarine agreement with Australia, leaving Biden officials without a clear response. French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian expressed frustration, likening the decision to Trump's behavior. This was not something that should happen between allies. The tension had decreased somewhat by Thursday, following Biden's conversation with Macron and Blinken's meeting with Le Drian. However, the French diplomat's comments indicated that the issue had not been completely resolved. "Resolving the current crisis will be a lengthy process and will require significant effort," he stated. The incident with France could have been seen as an isolated incident if it didn't remind some NATO allies of similar complaints they had about Biden's handling of the withdrawal from Afghanistan, where they felt they were not consulted properly or informed of the timeline. Trump was known for surprising allies with sudden and independent decisions. Blinken argued that he consulted with NATO officials in the spring to hear their perspectives on Afghanistan, however, officials from Germany, Britain, and other countries claimed that their advice for a slower withdrawal was not heeded. Biden supporters believe that comparisons between Trump and Biden are exaggerated, but some acknowledge the legitimate global concerns about the possibility of Trump, or someone like him, undoing Biden's efforts. Loren DeJonge Schulman, a former member of the National Security Council and the Pentagon under the Obama administration, stated that it is preposterous to suggest any continuity between Trump and Biden in terms of their views on allies, international negotiations, or national security. However, Schulman acknowledged that other countries have valid concerns about how the Biden administration, in the aftermath of the Trump era, can uphold sustainable international commitments such as a potential nuclear deal with Tehran and bolster public support for foreign alliances. DeJonge Schulman, an adjunct senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security, stated that trust cannot be the only factor considered. Both allies and adversaries see similarities between Biden and Trump, with the Global Times suggesting that Biden's China policies are very similar to Trump's. Biden has continued some of Trump's trade tariffs, which Democrats criticized before Biden took office but now see as leverage in negotiations with China. Iranian officials are also unhappy that Biden has not removed the economic sanctions imposed by Trump after withdrawing from the nuclear deal. In the early days of Biden's presidency, some European allies suggested lifting certain restrictions to restart nuclear talks, but Biden officials rejected the idea. Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, recently criticized the Biden administration for demanding similar things on the nuclear issue as Trump. Now, with a new hard-line government in Tehran and a pause in negotiations, Biden officials are warning Iran that time is running out to return to the nuclear agreement. Criticisms of Biden's team are growing, especially after a US military drone strike in Kabul resulted in civilian casualties. Some Biden officials acknowledge that diplomacy has been challenging due to the retirement of many experienced Foreign Service officers during the Trump administration. Senator Ted Cruz from Texas has hindered the confirmation of numerous Biden nominees for State Department positions and ambassadorships. Biden is facing comparisons to Trump in various areas, such as immigration, prompting questions about how he differs from his predecessor. Marisa Franco, executive director of Mijente, a Latino civil rights organization, highlighted this issue in a recent interview with The New York Times.