Why it will be hard for Biden to woo Southeast Asia

And many in the region are dubious of America's long term commitment to Asia. President Barack Obama promised a "pivot to Asia" in 2011, but conflicts in the Middle East quickly derailed that plan. Biden is under pressure to deliver on his promise to Southeast Asian nation leaders of "a new era in U.S.-ASEAN relations" at a meeting in D.C. in May. For the administration, that means wooing ASEAN countries away from highly lucrative trade with China with more U.S. help in areas including climate action, health and energy. But ASEAN's 10 members are a disparate group whose priorities often…