Today and tomorrow will see US President Joe Biden host meetings with the leaders of Asean. Eight out of 10 leaders of the bloc's member countries will be there, including Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha of Thailand and President Joko Widodo of Indonesia.
The two nations will be playing important roles as chairs of the annual G20 and Apec meetings later this year. Indonesia will first host the G20 meeting at the end of October, followed by Thailand hosting the Apec summit in mid-November.
Gen Prayut and Mr Widodo must use the opportunity of this trip to make their case strongly. The US must not lead a boycott of the G20 or Apec.
