Donald Trump nominates Rex Tillerson as US secretary of state
Updated
US President-elect Donald Trump has formally announced Exxon-Mobil Corp chairman and CEO Rex Tillerson as his nomination to serve as secretary of state.
"His tenacity, broad experience and deep understanding of geopolitics make him an excellent choice for Secretary of State," Mr Trump said in a statement released by his transition team on Tuesday.
"He will promote regional stability and focus on the core national security interests of the United States."
Mr 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 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," Mr Trump said.
The Exxon chief said he shared the President-elect's "vision for restoring the credibility of the United States' foreign relations and advancing our country's national security".
Mr Trump picked Mr Tillerson, 64, after the Texan was backed by several Republican establishment figures, including former secretaries of state James Baker and Condoleeza Rice and former defence secretary Robert Gates, a transition official said.
Their support is seen as key to helping Mr Tillerson get past a possibly contentious Senate confirmation battle likely to focus on his relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
In 2013, Mr Putin bestowed a Russian state honour, the Order of Friendship, on Mr Tillerson, citing his work "strengthening cooperation in the energy sector".
Mr Trump judged in making the pick that the Exxon boss could adequately address questions about his relations with Russia, an official said.
Reuters
Topics: us-elections, world-politics, united-states
First posted
