Who is Rex Tillerson? Former ExxonMobil oil executive confirmed as Donald Trump's Secretary of State

Oil man: Donald Trump's cabinet nominee Rex Tillerson is confirmed in a Senate vote.
EPA
Francesca Gillett2 February 2017

Rex Tillerson, the ex-boss of the biggest oil company in the world, has been confirmed as Donald Trump’s new secretary of state.

The 64-year-old oil and gas executive, from Texas, was voted into the role of the USA’s top diplomat by Senate on Wednesday.

He is the latest official to be sworn into President Trump’s cabinet after being nominated in December. All cabinet nominees put forward by the president must be approved by Senate.

Businessman Mr Tillerson made his name as the CEO of ExxonMobil after rising up through the ranks.

Secretary of State: The USA's new top diplomat.
REUTERS

He does not have any experience in government but is liked by President Trump for his business background and ability to make big deals on an international scale.

The oil and gas chief travelled the world forming deals in Iraq, Iran, Thailand and Russia and grew the company to be the leading multi-national in oil and gas.

President Trump tweeted last year: “The thing I like best about Rex Tillerson is that he has vast experience at dealing successfully with all types of foreign governments.”

Father-of-four Mr Tillerson is also known for his ties to Russia which have been a point of contention for some opponents of President Trump.

In his 41-year career at ExxonMobil, Mr Tillerson spent time in Russia working for the oil corporation and became a personal friend of Russia’s president Vladimir Putin. In 2013 President Putin even awarded him the high honour of the “Order of Friendship”.

Opposition politicians in the Senate also fear Mr Tillerson could be a “yes man” who might not prevent President Trump pursuing foreign policy which “leads the country on a march of folly”.

Environmentalists have also been left worried at the promotion of an oil and gas man to one of the top US jobs.

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