Mike Johnson tells British Parliament he came to ‘calm the waters’

U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson addressed the British Parliament on Tuesday, saying he had come to “calm the waters” as tensions between Washington and its European allies have intensified in recent weeks over President Donald Trump’s effort to buy Greenland.

Johnson’s speech – the first by a US House speaker to the British Parliament – came on the eve of the US 250th anniversary and against a backdrop of tension in transatlantic relations, including Trump’s harsh criticism of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer hours earlier over a deal involving the Chagos Islands.

“I spoke at length with President Trump yesterday and told him that I truly felt that my mission today was to encourage our friends and help calm the waters, so to speak,” Johnson said.

Johnson emphasized that despite current disagreements, the United States and the United Kingdom remain committed to an enduring alliance built on our shared history, values ​​and security interests.

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“As friends, we have always managed to resolve our differences calmly. We will continue to do so,” he said. “I can assure you this morning that this is still the case.”

The speaker said his visit has taken on a new urgency as geopolitical tensions have increased in recent days. He described his role as strengthening stability among allies and signaling resolve to enemies.

Johnson tied his remarks to the upcoming 250th anniversary of America’s independence, framing the milestone not just as a celebration but as a moment of reflection and recommitment, especially at a time when Western nations face external threats and internal divisions.

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He warned that America’s enemies were increasingly challenging Western democracies with “increasingly sophisticated forms of subversion.”

“We are seeing China, Russia and Iran becoming more aggressive and emboldened as they intensify their efforts to exert economic, political and military influence around the world,” Johnson said. “We are seeing callous disregard for fundamental human rights, new provocations and even intellectual property theft on a scale we have never seen before.”

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Johnson said Trump is focusing on these threats, especially in strategically sensitive regions such as the Arctic.

“Clearly, President Trump takes seriously the modern and dynamic threats posed by China and Russia to our global security and has been focusing on this issue over the past several days, particularly as it relates to the Arctic,” he said.

British House of Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle (left) walks with U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson during a visit to the House of Commons in London on Monday, January 19, 2026. (Pool Photo via Jordan Pettitt/AP)

Acknowledging that there was room for debate among allies, Johnson emphasized the need to collectively confront the dangers posed by rival powers.

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“While we can have a thoughtful discussion among our friends about how best to counter these threats, we all absolutely agree that they must be met,” he said.

Speaker Johnson praised Britain and other allies for their recent cooperation, including the implementation of sanctions. He explained that Trump’s “America first” agenda does not mean “America alone.”

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He praised NATO members for increasing defense spending and highlighted cooperation through alliances such as AUKUS, calling them proof that national interests and collective security can coexist.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer welcomes the Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Mike Johnson, at 10 Downing Street in London on Monday, January 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

“Whether it is NATO’s historic commitment to increase defense investment or the AUKUS alliance’s deepening cooperation in submarines and undersea defence, our partnership proves that nations can responsibly prioritize their individual interests,” he said.

Citing the shared heritage of the US and Britain, Johnson warned that military might and economic power are meaningless without trust in a shared set of values.

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“Strong and lethal armies are important,” he said. “Robust and thriving economies are important, but they don’t mean much if we forget what we’re fighting for.”