Tag: rex Tillerson

Allies vow to destroy IS as attacks overshadow talks

by Dave Clark Agence France-Presse WASHINGTON, United States – The US-led coalition against the Islamic State group vowed to crush the jihadists Wednesday at a meeting overshadowed by an attack in London and civilian deaths in Syria. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson welcomed his counterparts from the mainly Western and Arab 68-nation alliance to Washington with a promise to hunt down IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. But he also warned the coalition is “not in […]

Tillerson: 20 years of efforts to denuclearize N. Korea ‘have failed’

TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — United States Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Thursday that two decades of efforts to stop North Korea’s nuclear ambitions have not worked and that a new approach is needed. “I think it’s important to recognize that the political and diplomatic efforts of the past 20 years to bring North Korea to the point of denuclearization have failed,” he told a press conference with Japan’s foreign minister. “In the face of […]

Trump signs revised travel ban, exempts Iraqis

by Andrew BEATTY Agence France-Presse WASHINGTON, United States – US President Donald Trump on Monday signed a revised ban on travelers from six Muslim-majority nations, scaling back the order to exempt Iraqis and permanent US residents. After his first wide-ranging and controversial restrictions were slapped down by the federal courts, Trump signed an order freezing new visas for Syrians, Iranians, Libyans, Somalis, Yemenis and Sudanese citizens. The White House said Trump signed the order behind […]

Trump pick could talk his way into war: Chinese media

BEIJING, China (AFP) — Prospective US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson better watch his mouth, angry Chinese media said Friday, warning Donald Trump’s nominee that his threats to block China in the South China Sea are fighting words. The comments came after the former ExxonMobil CEO told US senators that he would seek to deny Beijing access to the artificial islands they have been building in the South China Sea. China’s actions in the region […]

Trump’s pick of Tillerson evokes Cheney precedent

by Jean-Louis Doublet Agence France Presse  WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Donald Trump’s pick of ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson as secretary of state on Tuesday mirrors the case of Dick Cheney, another oil industry executive tapped for a top Republican administration post. When former president George W. Bush selected Cheney as his choice for running mate in 2000, the future vice president had spent five years as chairman and CEO of Halliburton, the world’s second-largest […]

Trump taps ExxonMobil chief Tillerson as secretary of state

by Becca MILFELD Agence France Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) – US President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday tapped ExxonMobil chief Rex Tillerson as his nominee to be secretary of state, despite concerns on both sides of the political aisle about the oilman’s deep ties to Russia. The nomination was the one most awaited by observers at home and abroad as the 70-year-old Republican billionaire builds his cabinet before taking office on January 20 — and […]