Tillerson's sway on other Trump priorities, such as fighting Islamic State, countering Iran and improving ties with Russia, remains to be seen. U.S.-based China experts said Trump’s change of tack should help ease tensions and open the way for discussions across the board. Tillerson’s emerging role suggests that he could be a moderating influence with both friends and adversaries who have been unnerved at times by Trump’s rhetoric and unpredictability. During his Senate confirmation hearings last month, Tillerson raised Chinese ire when he said China should be denied access to islands it is building in the South China Sea. (Reporting by Matt Spetalnick and Steve Holland; additional reporting by Kiyoshi Takenaka in Washington; Editing by Warren Strobel and Grant McCool)

Source: thestar February 10, 2017 23:26 UTC