Rex Tillerson, Chairman and CEO of ExxonMobil, Presens Unique Conflict of Interest for Trump
President-elect Donald Trump has made the much-anticipated announcement of who he will nominate to become secretary of state, the second-most powerful person in his cabinet and the official fourth in the line of succession. ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson, a 64-year old oil magnate who has strong ties to Russian president Vladimir Putin, will be that person.
Via Twitter, Trump called Tillerson “one of the truly great business leaders of the world.”
Tillerson presents a tremendous conflict of interest for the Trump administration and faces a tough confirmation process, although few believe he will not be confirmed.
With Tillerson as Secretary of State oil and gas deals, especially for ExxonMobil, will expand. The Obama administration’s sanctions against Russia killed a $500 billion deal between the Russian government’s oil company and Tillerson’s company.
Defending the expected pick, Trump senior advisor Kellyanne Conway on Monday went to bat for the ExxonMobil chief, saying “Tillerson has dealt with Russia for many years,” but, “It’s not like he’s pounding down vodka with Vladimir Putin at the local bar, but he’s dealt with him in a business context. And we know we don’t have a good relationship with many countries around the globe, including Russia. If, as Secretary of State, Mr. Tillerson — or whomever the president-elect chooses this week — if he can go ahead and improve U.S. relationships and advance U.S. interests, and advance the Trump doctrine, then we should all welcome that.”
Some were quick to point to this video, showing Tillerson and Putin “pounding down” champagne after the Russian president awarded him the Order of Friendship award:
UPDATE:
Trump nervous?
Posts second tweet in support of Tillerson:
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