Why was the US reluctant to participate in the Geneva conference?

The US was reluctant to participate in the Geneva Conference primarily due to concerns about the influence of communism and the desire to contain it, particularly regarding the situation in Vietnam. There was skepticism about the effectiveness of negotiations, fearing that engagement might lead to concessions that could bolster communist power in Southeast Asia. Additionally, the US leadership was divided over the best approach to foreign policy in the region, further complicating their willingness to fully commit to the conference's proceedings.