LONDON

US House Speaker Mike Johnson on Tuesday told UK lawmakers that his mission in Britain is to "help to calm the waters" amid escalating tensions between the US and Europe.

Speaking in the House of Commons as part of commemorations of the 250th anniversary of US independence, Johnson highlighted the countries’ shared history and special relationship.

Citing Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s remarks from a Monday press conference, Johnson said: "He noted, of course, that the UK and the US are close allies and that their strong, constructive partnership all these years has been built on mutual respect and focused on results.”

Also citing a conversation with US President Donald Trump, Johnson added: "I told the president that I felt that my mission here today was to encourage our friends and help to calm the waters, so to speak, and I hope to do so.

"Even though we planned this (address) back in the fall, we didn't know how the events would develop over the last few days."

Johnson is the first US House speaker to address the British Parliament.

'Let us look to agreement, continue our dialogue'

His remarks came hours after Trump's remarks criticizing the UK plan to hand over sovereignty of the Indian Ocean’s Chagos Islands to the East African country of Mauritius in exchange for securing a strategically important UK-US military base.

He went on to say that he is confident that both nations can and will maintain and strengthen their special relationship.

Johnson added: "Let us look to agreement, continue our dialogue and find a resolution, just as we always have in the past.”

Saying that China, Russia, and Iran are growing “more aggressive and emboldened" as they intensify their efforts to exert economic, political, and military influence around the world, he added that Trump is taking seriously the "modern and dynamic threats" that China and Russia pose to global security, especially in focus the last few days as it relates to the Arctic.

"While we can have thoughtful debate about among our friends about how best to counter these threats, we all certainly agree they must be encountered," he added.

Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, has taken on growing geopolitical importance due to its Arctic location, rare earth resources, and proximity to key transatlantic shipping routes. Recent statements by Trump that the US must acquire Greenland have met a strong pushback.

Trump has repeatedly said that the US must acquire Greenland for national security and to prevent Russia or China from gaining control of the territory. He has also threatened tariffs on allies that oppose the bid.