United States’ President-Elect, Donald Trump has confirmed the chief executive of Exxon Mobil, Rex Tillerson, as his choice for US secretary of state.
In a statement on Tuesday, Trump praised 64-year-old Tillerson, as among the “most accomplished business leaders and international dealmakers” in the world.
Tillerson is said to have a good relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, a development that does not quite go down well with both Democrats and some Republicans.
John McCain, a Republican Senator and chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee told newsmen: “I don’t know what Mr. Tillerson’s relationship with Vladimir Putin was, but I’ll tell you it is a matter of concern to me.”
Also, a Democratic Party spokesman, Adam Hodge described Tillerson’s appointment as another victory for Putin.
“Trump’s outrageous pick of Rex Tillerson to be Secretary of State demonstrates once again that he lied to the country about draining the swamp,” Hodge said in a statement.
The nomination needs Senate approval as the secretary of state is in effect the most senior US diplomat, responsible for enacting the government’s foreign policy.
“Rex Tillerson’s career is the embodiment of the American dream,” Trump said.
“His tenacity, broad experience and deep understanding of geopolitics make him an excellent choice for Secretary of State.”
Earlier on Monday night, Trump’s close confidante and former House Speaker, Newt Gingrich indicated that the billionaire would select Tillersron for America’s top diplomatic post.
“Rex Tillerson will be an extremely effective Secretary of State. He knows the world, he knows how to make deals internationally, and although it’s hard for the Washington elites to comprehend that Donald J. Trump could nominate someone who is not a bureaucrat, Tillerson has exactly the right kind of determination and toughness we need to fix the State Department,” he wrote.
Tillerson said he was “honoured” by the nomination, adding that he shared Trump’s “vision for restoring the credibility of the United States’ foreign relations and advancing our country’s national security”.
Under Tillerson’s management, the energy giant ExxonMobil negotiated a major energy deal with Moscow in 2011, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Putin said at the time that the deal could be worth over $500 billion.
A year later, the Russian government awarded Tillerson with the Russian Order of Friendship, one of the country’s most prestigious awards given to foreign nationals.
Trump had interviewed his erstwhile fierce critic and former Republican presidential candidate, Mitt Romney, for the post of Secretary of State.
But some of the top names that endorsed Trump’s presidential campaign said it would be a betrayal should the President-elect go ahead and appoint Romney.