US President-elect Donald Trump has picked ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson to be the next secretary of state. Trump praised Tillerson’s “deep understanding of geopolitics”.

Trump officially announced his nomination of ExxonMobil’s Rex Tillerson on Tuesday, following numerous media reports.

“His tenacity, broad experience and deep understanding of geopolitics make him an excellent choice for Secretary of State,” Trump said in a statement released by his transition team.

Trump praised Tillerson’s business acumen and called his career “the embodiment of the American dream.”

“Rex knows how to manage a global enterprise, which is crucial to running a successful State Department,” Trump said.

Washington’s pending top diplomat said in a statement he would focus on strengthening international alliances while “enhancing the strength, security and sovereignty of the United States.”