Trump taps Exxon’s chief as top diplomat
WASHINGTON: President-elect Donald Trump announced Exxon Mobil Corp Chief Executive Officer Rex Tillerson as his choice for US secretary of state on Tuesday, despite concerns from lawmakers in both political parties over the oilman’s ties to Russia.
Tillerson’s experience in diplomacy stems from making deals with foreign countries for Exxon, the world’s largest energy company, and Trump praised him as a successful international dealmaker who leads a global operation.
“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 has been chief executive of Exxon Mobil since 2006 and, like Trump, has never held public office.
Tillerson said in a statement that he shared the president-elect’s “vision for restoring the credibility of the United States’ foreign relations and advancing our country’s national security.”
Some lawmakers raised concerns about Tillerson’s relationship with Moscow.
His appointment confirmation.
Senator John McCain, a leading Republican foreign policy voice and his party’s 2008 nominee for president, said: “I have concerns. It’s very well known that he has a very close relationship with (Russian President) Vladimir Putin.” requires Senate