Rex Tillerson, Donald Trump differ on key issues

Washington: Donald Trump’s nominee for secretary of state signaled on Thursday that 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 that he would take a firm line with Moscow as he contradicted Mr Trump’s oft-proclaimed determination to improve ties with America’s former Cold War foe. On trade, his position countered that of Mr 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,” Mr Tillerson said.

The US will send a “clear signal” to China that it must abandon its artificial islands in the South China Sea, he ned, hitting out at the communist giant for its “extremely worrisome” activities in the disputed waters.