2026 is the 250th anniversary of America’s independence. On Tuesday, January 20, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, Mike Johnson, made a milestone visit to the United Kingdom.
Johnson became the first sitting Speaker of the United States House of Representatives to be invited to speak in the British Parliament. At the Westminster Palace, he not only reiterated the “special relationship” between the US and the UK but also issued a stern warning against the expansion of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and global authoritarianism. He emphasized the need for the US and its allies to cooperate in the face of challenges posed by China and Russia.
As the first Speaker of the House to address the British Parliament, Johnson’s presence was seen by various mainstream British media outlets, like The Daily Telegraph, as a symbol of “unprecedented unity” in the transatlantic alliance facing challenges of the new century. In his speech, he paid tribute to the friendship that has spanned over two and a half centuries between the US and UK, emphasizing their ability to maintain cooperation despite differences.
“We have always been able to resolve our differences like friends calmly. I want to assure you today that this remains the case,” Johnson stated. He then made a declaration that encapsulated the essence of his visit:
“I am confident that we can and will uphold and strengthen the special relationship between our two countries, send a message of unity and resolve to our global allies, and remind adversaries, terrorists, and tyrants everywhere that our nations are committed to safeguarding freedom.”
He stressed, “As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of American independence, we must recognize that our shared values – freedom, democracy, and the rule of law – are facing challenges today like never before.”
In addition to commemorating history, Speaker Johnson’s speech focused on the increasingly dire global security situation. He bluntly pointed out that Western allies cannot afford to show any wavering at crucial moments.
“China (CCP) and Russia are eyeing every strategic point globally with predatory intent,” Johnson warned. He highlighted that any defense cracks in regions like the Indian Ocean or the Arctic will be exploited by adversaries.
“We cannot show weakness in confronting the systematic threats posed by the CCP, as they have noted every strategic concession. Decisions involving critical territories or military bases must prioritize the overall security of the democratic camp.”
He particularly emphasized that in the face of China’s monopolistic attempts on critical minerals and waterways, the US and UK must act together. “It is a confrontation of wills that we face, which is why we must ensure strategic sites like Greenland do not fall into enemy hands and protect vital defense facilities like the Chagos Islands.”
On the same day, President Trump publicly criticized the UK’s agreement to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius as a “totally weak” move on social media. Despite the agreement preserving a 99-year lease for the US at the Diego Garcia base, Trump warned of the CCP exploiting this to fill a sovereignty vacuum.
Trump sees this case as a lesson in Western withdrawal from strategic territories and emphasizes that Greenland must be taken over by the US to prevent infiltration from China and Russia, describing it as “yet another item on a very long list of national security reasons.”
Amidst disagreements between the US and Europe over the issue of Greenland’s ownership, according to a Reuters report, Speaker Johnson effectively played the role of a “strategic and diplomatic coordinator” in his speech. He admitted to having in-depth discussions with President Trump before the trip and worked to “calm the waters,” ensuring both nations are on the same page regarding critical defense issues.
He echoed Trump’s concerns about the Chagos agreement to justify the logic behind the US taking control of Greenland: “When our allies choose to give up extremely important land, it is undoubtedly a strategic misjudgment. This is why Greenland must be incorporated into the US defense system – to prevent China and Russia from establishing footholds at our doorstep.”
Johnson further translated the territorial issue into economic and security sovereignty. He pointed out that Greenland’s estimated 31 billion barrels of oil reserves and vast rare earth elements are crucial for the Western world to break free from dependence on the Chinese supply chain. He urged the UK and European allies to understand that this transfer of land is not just about ownership but about safeguarding energy sovereignty for the coming decades.
In conclusion, Johnson stated, “250 years ago, we separated in pursuit of freedom; today, we are closely united in safeguarding freedom. Faced with the challenge from China, our only course is unity.”