Biden to Host Southeast Asian Leaders in Washington Next Month

President Joe Biden will host leaders of ASEAN countries on May 12-13 in Washington, signaling U.S. efforts to engage with the group in the competition with China for regional influence.

A White House statement announcing the special summit with the 10-country Association of Southeast Asian Nations said the U.S. administration shares a “commitment to advance an Indo-Pacific that is free and open, secure, connected, and resilient.”