Biden hosts ASEAN leaders as he tries to show Pacific focus

By AAMER MADHANI
Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is hosting leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations as his administration tries to show that the United States hasn’t lost focus on the Pacific. As Biden welcomed the leaders to the White House for a Thursday dinner, his administration announced the United States would commit to more than $150 million in new projects to bolster Southeast Asia’s climate, maritime and public health infrastructure. Leaders will take part in more formal talks Friday at the State Department. Biden’s attempt at an “Asia pivot” has been complicated by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The president has said he sees China as the most threatening economic and national security adversary to the United States.