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Rex Tillerson named as Donald Trump's secretary of state Rex Tillerson named as Donald Trump's secretary of state
(35 minutes later)
Rex Tillerson, the president and chief executive of ExxonMobil, has been officially named as Donald Trump’s choice for secretary of state, the president-elect’s transition team has said. Rex Tillerson, the president and chief executive of ExxonMobil, has been officially named as Donald Trump’s choice for secretary of state, setting up a potential confirmation fight in the Senate.
“His tenacity, broad experience and deep understanding of geopolitics make him an excellent choice for secretary of state,” Trump said in the team’s statement. “He will promote regional stability and focus on the core national security interests of the United States.” Senators from both parties have raised concerns about his lack of experience and close ties to the Russian president, Vladimir Putin.
The announcement for the role of top diplomat comes after a selection process that considered figures including the former presidential candidate Mitt Romney and the former CIA chief David Petraeus. Trump hailed Tillerson as “among the most accomplished business leaders and international deal makers in the world” in a statement released on Tuesday morning by his transition team.
Senators from both parties have raised concerns about Tillerson’s lack of experience and close ties to the Russian president, Vladimir Putin. “His tenacity, broad experience and deep understanding of geopolitics make him an excellent choice for secretary of state,” Trump said. “He will promote regional stability and focus on the core national security interests of the United States.”
Tillerson’s confirmation hearings in the Senate are likely to be a bitter and emotional struggle. He is a recipient of Moscow’s Order of Friendship, having grown close to Putin and his circle while working on oil exploration in Russia, which was frozen when the US imposed sanctions in 2014. The announcement of the oil executive for the role of top diplomat comes after a selection process that considered figures including the former presidential candidate Mitt Romney and the former CIA chief David Petraeus.
Tillerson’s confirmation hearings are likely to be a bitter and emotional struggle. He is a recipient of Moscow’s Order of Friendship, having grown close to Putin and his circle while working on oil exploration in Russia, which was frozen when the US imposed sanctions in 2014.
He may also face questions from Senators over the potential benefits to ExxonMobil from US foreign policy if sanctions imposed on Russia after its annexation of Crimea were lifted.
The Kremlin praised Tillerson on Monday. “On account of his work as the head of one of the largest oil companies, he had contacts with our representatives more than once,” Putin’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, told journalists. “He fulfils his responsibilities in a highly professional manner.”The Kremlin praised Tillerson on Monday. “On account of his work as the head of one of the largest oil companies, he had contacts with our representatives more than once,” Putin’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, told journalists. “He fulfils his responsibilities in a highly professional manner.”
Romney confirmed on Monday he would not be part of the Trump administration. The former Massachusetts governor, who was always an odd choice for Trump’s cabinet given the pair’s scathing attacks on one another during the campaign, called it an “honor to have been considered for secretary of state”.Romney confirmed on Monday he would not be part of the Trump administration. The former Massachusetts governor, who was always an odd choice for Trump’s cabinet given the pair’s scathing attacks on one another during the campaign, called it an “honor to have been considered for secretary of state”.