12/3/2017

REX TILLERSON/STATE: “On the eve of his trip to Europe, Rex Tillerson gave a speech last week that European allies had waited months to hear: an ‘ironclad’ promise of U.S. support to its oldest allies.
The relief in European capitals lasted barely a day as reports surfaced of a White House plan to oust the U.S. secretary of state, plunging America’s friends back into confusion over President Donald Trump’s foreign policy.
The uncertainty is particularly acute given Washington’s leading role in crises in North Korea and Syria…
U.S. officials said on Thursday the White House had a plan for CIA Director Mike Pompeo to replace Tillerson but Trump said on Friday he was not leaving and the secretary of state said on Saturday the reports were untrue.
European leaders yearn for stability in U.S. foreign policy. They are troubled by Trump’s “America first” rhetoric and inconsistent statements on NATO and the European Union.”

-Robin Emmott and Noah Barkin, “U.S. allies fret as ‘guillotine’ hangs over Tillerson,” Reuters, Dec. 3, 2017 05:03am