FIRST reactions to the nomination of Rex Tillerson as Donald Trump’s secretary of state have focused on the specifics of the Texan oilman’s record as head of ExxonMobil, from his closeness to the Russian government to his company’s stance on climate change. Defending his decision, President-elect Trump has pointed to a different, more general side of Mr Tillerson’s record: namely, that he has the brains and negotiating smarts needed to rise to the top of a large and complex multinational corporation. Mr Trump’s pitch is straightforward: he is building a government of world-class deal-makers, who will strike bargains and make America a winner again in tough-minded transactions with foreign friends, rivals and foes.
Mr Trump may well have a point. Some of the criticism of Mr Tillerson seems to misunderstand the role of a corporate chief executive, and to assume that every business leader is the personal incarnation of the company that he leads. As CEO Mr Tillerson is answerable to his shareholders and has a duty to put their interests and those of his firm first. If confirmed as America’s top diplomat, he will be representing Mr Trump and his government. It is surely...Continue reading
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