However, their diplomatic efforts during a scaled-down UN General Assembly were overshadowed and complicated by the influence of former President Donald J. Trump. Biden worked to mend strained relations with France in a call with President Emmanuel Macron, while Blinken met with his French counterpart in New York. French officials criticized the Biden administration for not informing them of a strategic deal with Britain and Australia that impacted a submarine contract. President Ebrahim Raisi of Iran suggested during his speech to the global body that there was little difference between Biden and Trump, referencing their respective foreign policy slogans. The Beijing-based Global Times newspaper questioned the feasibility of Biden's ambitious carbon emissions targets, warning that they could be easily reversed by a future Republican administration. The Iranians also expressed concerns about a possible return to the 2015 nuclear deal that Trump had exited. During a news conference at the end of 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. When questioned about recent criticisms of US foreign policy, such as the withdrawal from Afghanistan, stalled nuclear negotiations with Iran, and diplomatic tensions in Paris, Blinken stated that he had not personally heard these complaints during his time in New York. He noted that the feedback he had received following the president's speech and the direction of the country was overwhelmingly positive and supportive of the United States. Blinken made these remarks before leaving a weeklong diplomatic gathering that had cautiously resumed in-person meetings following the virtual UN event last year due to the pandemic. Numerous international leaders did not attend this year's meeting, such as the presidents of Russia, China, and Iran. Their absence eliminated the potential for any unexpected encounters between the United States president and a foreign adversary, as seen in previous sessions. President Biden made a short appearance before leaving a few hours after delivering his speech on Tuesday. During his address, he described how America's withdrawal from Afghanistan marked the end of a 20-year war following the September 11, 2001, attacks. He stated that the United States was now entering a new phase of collaborative diplomacy to address global issues such as climate change, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the rise of authoritarianism. The speech paid tribute to internationalism on a large scale and was a clear difference from Trump's unprofessional behavior. However, there have been increasing criticisms that some of Biden's key policy decisions resemble those made by Trump. French officials expressed surprise over the US submarine agreement with Australia, a concern that Biden's team struggled to address. The French Foreign Minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian, compared the decision to Trump's actions, calling it "brutal, unilateral, and unpredictable," leaving him feeling angry and resentful. This was not behavior expected from allies, but the situation improved after Biden spoke with Macron and Blinken met with Le Drian. However, the French diplomat's comments indicated that the issue was not entirely resolved. Resolving the current crisis will be a lengthy process, requiring action. The incident with France reminded some of previous complaints from NATO allies about Biden's decision to withdraw from Afghanistan without proper consultation or notification. Trump had a history of surprising allies with sudden, unilateral actions. Blinken argued that he met with NATO officials in the spring to hear their opinions on Afghanistan, but officials from Germany, Britain, and other countries claimed that their recommendation for a slower withdrawal was disregarded. Biden supporters believe that the comparisons are exaggerated, but some acknowledge that there are legitimate global concerns about the possibility of Trump, or someone similar, following Biden and undoing his 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 that there is any similarity between Trump and Biden in terms of their views on allies, international negotiations, and national security. However, Schulman also recognized that other countries have valid concerns about how the Biden administration can maintain sustainable international agreements and garner more public support for foreign alliances in the aftermath of the Trump presidency. DeJonge Schulman, an adjunct senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security, stated that trust cannot be the basis for this situation. Not only have frustrated allies recognized similarities between Biden and Trump, but adversaries have also used this comparison to criticize Biden. The Global Times, a publication reflecting the views of the Chinese Communist Party, has claimed that Biden's China policies closely resemble those of Trump, including the continuation of trade tariffs that Democrats initially criticized but now view as a negotiating tool. Iranian officials have also expressed disappointment that Biden has not lifted the economic sanctions imposed by Trump after withdrawing from the nuclear deal. At the beginning of Biden's presidency, some European allies suggested lifting certain restrictions to revive 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. With a pause in negotiations and the election of a hard-line government in Tehran, Biden officials are now warning Iran that time is running out to return to the nuclear agreement. Criticism of Biden's team is increasing, especially after a US drone strike in Kabul killed 10 civilians, including seven children and an aid worker. Some officials in the Biden administration acknowledge that diplomacy has been challenging due to the retirement of many experienced Foreign Service officers during the Trump administration. Senator Ted Cruz of Texas has also hindered the confirmation of numerous Biden nominees for key State Department positions and ambassadorships. Biden is facing comparisons to Trump, particularly on immigration, with questions being raised about how he differs from his predecessor. Marisa Franco, the executive director of Mijente, a Latino civil rights organization, highlighted this issue in an interview with The New York Times.