House Speaker Johnson Urges Calm After Trump Tensions

LEAD: House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., delivered the first speech by a sitting U.S. House speaker to the British Houses of Parliament on Tuesday and said he had come to "calm the waters" after President Donald Trumps recent remarks about Greenland, according to Johnson.

CONTEXT: The speech follows recent comments in which President Donald Trump derided Britains "stupidity," renewed threats to acquire Greenland and criticized Prime Minister Keir Starmer over a Chagos Islands deal, developments that have heightened transatlantic tensions, according to multiple news accounts.

RESPONSE: Prime Minister Keir Starmer met with House Speaker Mike Johnson on Monday and, according to Johnson, issued a statement urging calm to resolve differences over Greenland and to avert a potential trade war.

SCALE: Johnsons visit coincided with events marking the 250th anniversary of American independence and represents the first time a sitting U.S. House speaker has addressed Parliament, and it comes amid U.S. officials sustained criticism and warnings about tariffs that could affect trade and security cooperation, according to news reports.

FORWARD: Diplomatic exchanges are expected to continue, including meetings between U.S. and U.K. officials and a U.S. congressional delegation visiting Denmark amid the backlash over Greenland, as Johnson said he hoped talks would "find a resolution," according to news accounts.