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Photo: Supplied/ Tom Vance
The Marshall Islands has asked for more money from the United States to deal with legacy nuclear testing before renewing its compact of free association.
The US have already signed off on the strategic agreement with Micronesia and Palau, with the economic terms of the Marshall Islands compact scheduled to expire on the 30th of September.
The island nations foreign minister Jack Ading says there needs to be more than the $700 million set aside for the nuclear-affected people before the agreement is signed.
Chief US negotiator Joseph Yun has held firm saying there is no more money for the country.
But RNZ Pacific's Marshall Islands correspondent, Giff Johnson says this could be an opportunity for the Marshall Islands to get a fair deal as the US increases its Pacific presence.
He spoke with Caleb Fotheringham.