Trump, top diplomat pick differ on multiple fronts
Donald Trump's nominee for secretary of state signaled Wednesday he is prepared to diverge from the US president-elect on numerous key issues, notably nuclear non-proliferation, climate change and Russia, which he branded a "danger."
Despite accusations of being too cozy with the Kremlin, former ExxonMobil chief Rex Tillerson told skeptical senators at his confirmation hearing -- which stretches into yesterday-- that he would take a firm line with Moscow as he contradicted Trump's oft-proclaimed determination to improve ties with America's former Cold War foe.
In his marathon testimony, Tillerson told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that it remained vital for Washington to be "pursuing nonproliferation," and he expressed a desire for the US to "maintain its seat at the table" with regard to climate talks.
On trade, his position countered that of Trump, who has vowed to rip up the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a massive free-trade agreement negotiated by 12 countries, on his first day in office.
"I do not oppose TPP," Tillerson said.
The strongest break though regarded Russia. His testimony came against a backdrop of controversy over US intelligence conclusions that Russia conducted election-related cyberattacks against US democratic institutions.
Tillerson said he believed it was "a fair assumption" that Russian President Vladimir Putin would have ordered his nation's meddling in the US election.
"Russia today poses a danger, but it is not unpredictable in advancing its own interests," he said.
While Tillerson signaled his intention to be "clear-eyed" about Moscow, he refused to commit to economic sanctions against Russia.
Tillerson, whose entire professional career has been in the energy industry, has faced criticism for his business relations with Putin and other authoritarian leaders.
But the 64-year-old stressed that as Washington's top diplomat, he will conduct a more robust US foreign policy than during President Barack Obama's presidency.
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