Washington – US president-elect Donald Trump on Monday chose ExxonMobil boss Rex Tillerson to be his secretary of state, local media reported, citing transition team officials.
The New York Times said other mooted picks, including former presidential candidate Mitt Romney and former New York mayor and Trump loyalist Rudy Giuliani, had received phone calls late Monday informing them of the decision.
Trump had said earlier on Twitter that he would announce his choice on Tuesday morning, without giving any further details.
Rex Tillerson, possible next US Secretary of State – A file photo of Exxon Mobile CEO and Chairman Rex Tillerson testifying before the Senate Finance Committee hearing on Oil and Gas Tax Incentives and Rising Energy Prices on May 12, 2011. (Credit Image: © James Berglie/ZUMAPRESS.com)
But he had indicated he was leaning towards 64-year-old Tillerson in an interview broadcast on Fox News on Sunday, when he said the Texan was “a world-class player.”
In a message on his Facebook page, Romney said his talks about the position with Trump had been “enjoyable and enlightening.”
“I have very high hopes that the new administration will lead the nation to greater strength, prosperity and peace,” he said.
Trump’s choice has already attracted criticism due to Tillerson’s close ties with Russia, where he represented Exxon’s interests in the 1990s, and his friendly relationship with President Vladimir Putin.
In 2013 he was even awarded the Order of Friendship by the Russian government.
-dpa
