 Zoellick and Rice worked for Mr Bush's father, former President Bush |
US President George Bush has chosen Trade Representative Robert Zoellick to be Condoleezza Rice's deputy at the State Department. The two "will form a really great, capable foreign policy team", Mr Bush said as he made the announcement.
Ms Rice is expected to be confirmed by the Senate to succeed Colin Powell as the top US diplomat after a confirmation hearing on 18 January.
Mr Zoellick's appointment will also have to be approved by the Senate.
He will replace the current Deputy Secretary of State, Richard Armitage, who stood down when Mr Powell announced his resignation.
Mr Zoellick, 51, has been the trade representative since Mr Bush assumed the presidency in January 2001.
Making the announcement on the White House lawn, Mr Bush said Ms Rice had made a good choice of deputy.
"I've known Zoellick for a long time. He's a fine public servant," he added.
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