Australia rules out hosting US missiles
Australia on Monday ruled out hosting ground-based US missiles after talks with Washington's top defence and diplomatic officials.
Following an announcement that the United States plans to deploy intermediate-range missiles in Asia -- widely seen as an effort to contain China -- Australia scotched the notion of locating them Down Under.
"It's not been asked of us, not being considered, not been put to us. I think I can rule a line under that," Prime Minister Scott Morrison said of the notion.
His comments came hours after US Defense Secretary Mark Esper and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo departed Sydney following talks.
Australian Defence minister Linda Reynolds told public broadcaster ABC the issue came up in her meeting with Esper: "I asked him directly, 'was there any expectation of a request', and he said 'no'."
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