What is the key role of the Secretary of State?

The principal role of the United States Secretary of State is to act as the chief foreign affairs adviser of the president. The secretary carries out duties through the Foreign Service and the U.S. State Department.

Some of the roles of the Secretary of State include conducting negotiations relating to U.S foreign affairs, negotiating and terminating foreign agreements and treaties, issuing passports to American citizens, directing U.S representatives to international agencies and organizations, supervising the Foreign Service, providing Americans with information about foreign countries among others. The Secretary of State is appointed by the U.S president with the advice of the senate.