Trump picks Exxon CEO Rex Tillerson for US secretary of state
He [Tillerson] will be a forceful and clear-eyed advocate for America’s vital national interests
Trained as an engineer, the silver-haired oilman is 64 and has never worked in government, but his global deal-making experience could be an asset in defending US interests. His close relationship with Putin likely was key to Trump’s choice. The billionaire is keen to improve ties with Russia which soured greatly when Russia annexed Crimea in 2014.
“He will be a forceful and clear-eyed advocate for America’s vital national interests, and help reverse years of misguided foreign policies and actions that have weakened America’s security and standing in the world,” Trump said in a statement. Tillerson said he shared Trump’s “vision for restoring the credibility of the United States’ foreign relations and advancing our country’s national security”.
Trump picked Tillerson after the Texan was backed by several Republican establishment figures including former Secretary of State James Baker, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and former Defence Secretary Robert Gates, the transition official said.
In 2013, Putin bestowed a Russian state honour, the Order of Friendship, on Tillerson, citing his work “strengthening cooperation in the energy sector”.
Trump judged in making the pick that Tillerson could adequately address questions about his relations with Russia, an official said. Lawmakers from both major parties have raised questions about Tillerson and former UN Ambassador John Bolton, who has been mentioned as a possible No 2 State Department official and who has voiced hawkish views on Iraq and Iran.
The ExxonMobil chief “has had more interactive time with Vladimir Putin than probably any other American with the exception of Henry Kissinger,” said John Hamre of the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). Tillerson is a CSIS trustee.
Republicans and Democrats said Tillerson, who is president of Exxon Mobil Corporation, would be asked about his contacts with Russia, having met Putin several times. He won fresh praise from Moscow on Monday.
Critics from Republican John McCain to environmentalists have a long list of concerns and doubts, including putting an oilman in charge of the US role in global climate change accords. McCain has said that Tillerson’s close ties to Putin were “a matter of concern”.
“I’d have to examine it,” he said, adding: “Vladimir Putin is a thug, bully and a murderer, and anybody else who describes him as anything else is lying.”
He had planned a news conference on Thursday to lay out the details but delayed it until Tuesday due to what aides said was the crush of picking people to serve in his administration.
In a series of late-night tweets on Monday, Trump said he would be leaving his business before January 20 so he can focus full-time on the presidency and that he would leave his two sons, Donald Trump Jnr and Eric Trump, to manage it.
He did not mention his daughter, Ivanka, who has been a central player in Trump’s business affairs and who is said to be considering a move to Washington to help her father.
“No new deals will be done during my term(s) in office,” Trump said. He said he would hold a press conference “in the near future to discuss the business, Cabinet picks and all other topics of interest. Busy times!”
“It was an honour to have been considered for secretary of state of our great country,” Romney said in a Facebook posting on Monday night. “My discussions with president-elect Trump have been both enjoyable and enlightening. I have very high hopes that the new administration will lead the nation to greater strength, prosperity and peace.”
Additional reporting by Agence France-Presse
