Johnson, as first sitting US House speaker to address British Parliament, tries to smooth tensions

House Speaker Mike Johnson in a speech Tuesday before the British Parliament tried to smooth tensions between the two nations, with President Trump's plan to take control of northern European neighbor Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish territory, the latest flash point.  

"I spoke to President Trump at length yesterday, and I told him that I really felt that my mission here today was to encourage our friends and help to calm the waters," said Johnson, the first sitting House speaker to address the legislative body. "We’ve always been able to work through our differences calmly as friends. We will continue to do that," he added. "I want to assure you this morning that that is still the case."

That Trump has suggested he will take Greenland by force if he cannot cut a deal and that he'll impose more tariffs on European countries that don't cooperate with his plan has caused alarm in Great Britain and elsewhere across Europe and around the world. 

Johnson's speech also came ahead of the 250th anniversary of the U.S.'s split from the UK, according to Fox News.

"We see China, Russia and Iran grow more aggressive and emboldened as they intensify their efforts to exert economic, political, and military influence around the world," said Johnson, underscoring Trump's rationale for taking Greenland. "We see a callous disregard for basic human rights, new provocations, and even the theft of intellectual property on a scale like we have never seen before ... Clearly, President Trump is taking seriously the modern and dynamic threats that China and Russia pose to our global security, and especially and in focus the last few days as it relates to the Arctic.

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