Translating "America First" into diplomatic policy, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Wednesday declared the United States can't always afford to condition its foreign relationships and national security efforts on countries adopting U.S. values like human rights. The former Exxon Mobil CEO distinguished between U.S. "values," which he described as enduring, and "policies," which Tillerson said must adapt to the times. "In some circumstances, if you condition our national security efforts on someone adopting our values, we probably can't achieve our national security goals," Tillerson said. "It really creates obstacles to our ability to advance our national security interests, our economic interests." Tillerson's address came as he prepares a massive reorganization and downsizing that has fueled Democratic and Republican fears that the Trump administration is relegating the importance of aid and diplomacy.

Source: ABC News May 03, 2017 14:55 UTC