Protecting all but American showing disrespect (9)
I believe the answer is:
insulting
'protecting all but american showing' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are present participle verbs, I can't see how one could define the other.
'disrespect' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'disrespect' could be 'insult' (insult is a kind of disrespect) and 'insult' is present in the answer.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for insulting that I've seen before include "Treating with disrespect" , "What offender's doing" , "Offensive" .)