U.S. president-elect Donald Trump announced Exxon-Mobil Corp’s Rex Tillerson as his choice for secretary of state on Tuesday, praising the business leader as a successful international dealmaker who has led a global operation.
Tillerson’s experience in diplomacy stems from making deals with foreign countries for the world’s largest energy company, although questions have been raised about the oil executive’s relations with Russia.
‘He will… help reverse years of misguided foreign policies.’ — President-elect Donald Trump
“His tenacity, broad experience and deep understanding of geopolitics make him an excellent choice,” Trump said in a statement released by his transition team.
“He will… help reverse years of misguided foreign policies and actions that have weakened America’s security and standing in the world.”
Tillerson said he shared Trump’s “vision for restoring the credibility of the United States’ foreign relations and advancing our country’s national security.”
‘He has a very close relationship with Vladimir Putin.’ — Senator John McCain
Trump picked Tillerson, 64, after the Texan was backed by several Republican establishment figures including former secretary of state James Baker, former secretary of state Condoleeza Rice and former defence secretary Robert Gates, the transition official said.
Their support is seen as key to helping Tillerson get past a possibly contentious Senate confirmation battle likely to focus on his relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
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.
An elevator door closes as former Texas governor Rick Perry arrives at Trump Tower on Monday. Perry is said to be Trump’s nominee for energy secretary. (Carolyn Kaster/Associated Press)
Praise from Moscow
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.
Separately, a source close to the transition said Trump had chosen former Texas governor Rick Perry as his nominee for energy secretary, with an announcement expected soon. Perry met Trump on Monday at Trump Tower in New York.
Republicans and Democrats said Tillerson, who is president of Exxon Mobil Corp, would be asked about his contacts with Russia, having met Putin several times. He won fresh praise from Moscow on Monday.
Senator John McCain of Arizona, a leading foreign policy voice and the 2008 Republican candidate for president, told Reuters in an interview: “I have concerns. It’s very well known that he has a very close relationship with Vladimir Putin.”
There has been controversy over the role alleged Russian cyber hacking may have had on the outcome of the Nov. 8 presidential election, in which Trump defeated Democrat Hillary Clinton.