US speaker seeks to calm the waters on UK trip

Mike Johnson said his mission in London was to "help calm the waters" and he met Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to encourage dialogue; his remarks followed President Trump's public pressure over Greenland and criticism of the Chagos decision.

The US House Speaker Mike Johnson visited London and told MPs and peers he aimed to "help calm the waters" amid recent tensions linked to President Trump's comments. He met Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer at Downing Street and expressed support for resolving issues through dialogue. The visit followed public pressure from President Trump over Greenland and his criticism of the UK's decision on the Chagos Islands. Johnson framed the trip as reinforcing the US‑UK partnership and mutual security cooperation. Key points: - Mike Johnson said his mission in London was to encourage friends and "help calm the waters" and he assured MPs that the US and UK will "work through our differences calmly as friends." - He met Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and said he agreed with the Prime Minister's approach of seeking resolution through dialogue. - Johnson reported he had spoken at length with President Trump and referenced recent presidential pressure over Greenland and criticism of the Chagos decision. - He praised the US‑UK relationship, noting shared security concerns and thanking the UK for support related to a recent US operation involving a Russian‑flagged tanker. Summary: The speaker presented his visit as intended to ease tensions and reaffirm the close US‑UK partnership in the face of global security concerns. Undetermined at this time.