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The US nosing its way into the Pacific Islands Forum has raised eyebrows.Vice President Kamala Harris addressed forum leaders virtually today, promising to deepen America's ties with the region.The US plans to increase its funding to 600-million dollars over ten years, assign an envoy to the forum and set up embassies in Tonga and Kiribati.Victoria University international relations Dr Iati Iati told Andrew Dickens the US clearly doesn't understand the principle of respect in the Pacific.He says the Pacific Islands Forum made it clear it wanted space to discuss the geopolitical tensions - but that space was not given.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.