Rex Tillerson shows readiness to oppose Donald Trump

The nominee for secretary of state has signalled he is own man on nuclear non-proliferation, climate change and Russia.

Rex Tillerson testifies at his confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington.

Donald Trump’s nominee for secretary of state has signalled he is prepared to diverge from the US president-elect on the key issues of 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 sceptical senators at his confirmation hearing yesterday he would take a firm line with Moscow and contradicted Mr Trump’s push to improve ties with the US’s former Cold War foe.

In his marathon testimony, Mr Tillerson, 64, told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that it remained vital for Washington to be “pursuing non-proliferation”, 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 Mr Trump, who has vowed to rip up the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a free-trade agreement negotiated by 12 countries, including Australia. “I do not oppose TPP,” Mr Tillerson said.

He hit out at China, saying the US would warn the Asian giant it must abandon its artificial islands in the South China Sea.

“We’re going to have to send China a clear signal that, first the island-building stops, and second, your access to those islands is also not going to be allowed,” he said.

Beijing has fuelled regional tensions by turning tiny reefs and islets in the strategically vital South China Sea into artificial islands hosting military facilities. Mr Tillerson said China’s building in the disputed waters and its declaration of an air defence identification zone over the Japanese-controlled Senkaku islands in the East China Sea were “illegal actions”.

He also criticised China for failing to sufficiently help rein in North Korea. “It has not been a reliable partner in using its full influence to curb North Korea,” he said.

He added: “China has proven a willingness to act with abandon in the pursuit of its own goals which at times has put it in conflict with American interests. We have to deal with what we see, not what we hope.”

The strongest breakthrough regarded Russia. His testimony came amid controversy over US intelligence conclusions that Russia conducted election-related cyber­attacks against US democratic institutions.

Mr Tillerson said it was “a fair assumption” Russian President Vladimir Putin would have ordered meddling in the US election.

“Russia today poses a danger, but it is not unpredictable in advancing its own interests,” he said.

Although Mr Tillerson signalled his intention to be “clear-eyed” about Moscow, he refused to commit to economic sanctions against Russia.

In a startling exchange with Democrat Robert Menendez, an architect of previous sanctions, Mr Tillerson revealed he had yet to discuss with Mr Trump the incoming administration’s position on Russia. “That’s pretty amazing,” Senator Menendez said.

AFP