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    Trump picks Exxon chief Tillerson as secretary of state

    US President-elect Donald Trump has picked ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson as his Secretary of State, media reports said on Tuesday amid speculation that the oil executive's close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin could complicate his confirmation prospects.

    Trump picks Exxon chief Tillerson as secretary of state
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    Exxon Mobil Chairman and CEO Rex Tillerson

    Washington

    Tillerson is a veteran chief executive who has had extensive overseas business dealings but his relationships with foreign leaders could complicate his confirmation prospects. If confirmed by the Senate, Tillerson would replace John Kerry as the Secretary of State. 

    Over the weekend, Trump had praised Tillerson. "He's more than a business executive; he's a world-class player. He's in charge of I guess the largest company in the world," Trump had said. "To me, a great advantage is he knows many of the players, and he knows them well. He does massive deals in Russia. He does massive deals for the company - not for himself, for the company," Trump said. 

    Gauging by the opposition to his name so far by the Democratic Senators, the Senate confirmation of Tillerson is unlikely to be a smooth sailing. "The nomination of ExxonMobil chief executive Rex Tillerson, which was confirmed by a person involved with the transition, likely faces a tough fight in the Senate, where some Republicans have said they are worried about his relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin," The Washington Post reported. Several US Senators have already come out in open against the nomination of Tillerson.

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