However, their diplomatic efforts at a scaled-down UN General Assembly were overshadowed and complicated by the legacy of President Donald J. Trump. President Biden worked to mend strained relations with France by talking to President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday, while Secretary of State Blinken met with his French counterpart in New York on Thursday. French officials compared the Biden administration to Trump's, criticizing them for not informing them about a deal with Britain and Australia that affected a submarine contract. President Ebrahim Raisi of Iran also drew parallels between Biden and Trump in his speech to the global body, noting their differing foreign policy slogans. Additionally, Beijing's Global Times newspaper warned that ambitious targets set by Biden to reduce global carbon emissions could be rescinded if a Republican administration takes over, a concern also echoed by the Iranians regarding a potential return to the 2015 nuclear deal that Trump withdrew from. During a news conference wrapping up a week of diplomacy, Blinken provided a favorable evaluation. He mentioned that US officials had engaged with representatives from over 60 countries and highlighted American leadership in addressing climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic. In response to recent criticisms of US foreign policy, including the withdrawal from Afghanistan, stalled nuclear discussions with Iran, and strained relations with France, the secretary of state stated that he had not directly heard such complaints in New York this week. Blinken expressed that the feedback he had received following the president's speech and the direction the country is heading in has been overwhelmingly positive and supportive of the United States. This statement was made before he left a week-long diplomatic gathering that had cautiously transitioned back to in-person meetings after last year's virtual UN event due to the pandemic. Several foreign leaders, such as the presidents of Russia, China, and Iran, did not attend this year's event. Their absence meant there was no suspense about whether the US president would have an unplanned meeting with a foreign adversary. President Biden only made a brief appearance, leaving shortly after his speech on Tuesday. In his address, he portrayed America as moving on from 20 years of war following the September 11, 2001 attacks with its withdrawal from Afghanistan. He stated that the US was now entering a new phase of collaborative diplomacy to address global issues like climate change, the pandemic, and the increase in authoritarianism. The speech was a significant tribute to global cooperation and stood out in comparison to Trump's aggressive and unpolished rhetoric. However, criticism has emerged that some of Biden's key policy decisions resemble Trump's approach. French officials were caught off guard by the US submarine deal with Australia, a move for which Biden's team could not provide a satisfactory explanation. French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian expressed frustration, likening the decision to Trump's behavior and expressing anger and disappointment. This had been somewhat alleviated by Thursday, following Biden's conversation with Macron and Blinken's meeting with Le Drian, but the French diplomat's remarks indicated that the issue had not been completely resolved. Resolving the current crisis will be a gradual process that will necessitate effort and time, he stated. The incident with Paris may have been seen as a singular event, but it echoed concerns from some NATO allies about Biden's handling of the Afghanistan withdrawal, which was done without proper consultation or notification of the timeline. Trump was known for catching longstanding allies off guard with sudden or independent decisions. Blinken expressed that he met with NATO officials in the spring to hear their opinions on Afghanistan, however officials in countries like Germany and Britain stated that their advice for a slower withdrawal was not taken into consideration. Biden supporters believe the comparisons are exaggerated, but some acknowledge the valid concerns around the world about the possibility of someone like Trump undoing Biden's efforts. Loren DeJonge Schulman, who served in the National Security Council and the Pentagon during the Obama administration, stated that it is ridiculous to think there is any similarity between Trump and Biden in terms of their views on allies, international negotiations, and national security. Schulman admitted that other countries have legitimate concerns about how the Biden administration can maintain sustainable international commitments post-Trump era and garner more 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 sole basis for decisions. Not only frustrated allies, but also adversaries have recognized similarities between Biden and Trump, using it as a weapon against Biden. The Global Times, known for echoing the Chinese Communist Party's views, mentioned that Biden's China policies are almost the same as Trump's. This includes maintaining trade tariffs that Democrats criticized before Biden's presidency, but his officials now see as a negotiating tool with China. Iranian officials are also upset that Biden has not removed the economic sanctions imposed by Trump after withdrawing from the nuclear deal. Some European allies suggested to the Biden administration early in his presidency to lift certain restrictions in order to restart nuclear talks, but Biden officials decided against it. Recently, Iran's supreme leader accused the current administration of being similar to the previous one in their demands regarding the nuclear issue. With negotiations paused and a new hard-line government in power in Tehran, Biden officials are warning Iran that time is running out to return to the nuclear agreement. The Biden team's handling of situations has been criticized, especially after a US military drone strike in Kabul resulted in the deaths of 10 civilians, including seven children and an aid worker. Some Biden officials acknowledge the challenges in diplomacy due to the retirement of many experienced Foreign Service officers during the Trump administration. Senator Ted Cruz has also hindered the confirmation of Biden's nominees for senior State Department positions and ambassadorships. Biden is facing comparisons to Trump in various areas, such as immigration. Marisa Franco, from the Latino civil rights organisation Mijente, raised the question of how Biden is different from Trump in these situations.