US House Speaker Mike Johnson has said he aims to 'calm the situation' over President Donald Trump's threats to acquire Greenland, during his current trip to the United Kingdom. Johnson is set to become the first sitting House speaker to address the UK Parliament on Tuesday.
In an interview with Nigel Farage on GB News, Johnson acknowledged the rift but expressed confidence that it would be resolved. 'I'm here to encourage our friends and calm the situation. Maybe it's providential that I happen to be here right now,' he said. Johnson rejected suggestions that NATO was under threat, insisting that Trump 'greatly values' the alliance.
The tensions stem from Trump's threats to impose tariffs on eight European countries and his refusal to rule out military force to gain control of Greenland, a self-governing territory of Denmark. Farage warned that the president's actions could undermine NATO, but Johnson downplayed the concerns.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also called for calm, stating that 'a trade war is in no one's interests' and that 'the use of tariffs against allies is completely wrong.' He added that any decision about Greenland's future belongs to its people and Denmark alone.
Johnson's address to Parliament is part of celebrations for America's 250th anniversary. He highlighted the shared heritage of the US and UK, saying they have 'stood together as pillars of peace and security across generations.'
