Final answer:
The primary issue during John Adams's presidency was relations with France, primarily due to the XYZ Affair and subsequent Quasi-War, which greatly impacted his foreign and domestic policies.
Step-by-step explanation:
The primary issue of Adams's presidency was relations with France. This was a significant focus due to the complexities surrounding the war between Great Britain and France during the 1790s. As President John Adams, who was a Federalist, tried to manage America's foreign policy, he found himself dealing with the crisis stemming from these international relations. The situation escalated with the XYZ Affair, where French officials attempted to solicit bribes from American negotiators.
Adams's challenges extended to domestic affairs, aggravated by the political fallout of the Quasi-War with France. This strained the Federalist Party and created internal discord, exacerbated by the controversial Alien and Sedition Acts. Despite these issues, Adams's primary concern remained with maintaining the nation's honor and security in the face of French aggression.