US House Speaker Mike Johnson has said that the UK needs “secure borders” to “defend the security of the Western world” in partnership with the US.

On a visit to the UK, the Republican speaker of the US House of Representatives told the House of Commons this morning that in order for both countries to defend shared interests, borders would need to be secured. He also said that there would need to be “serious investments in our shared defence”, as well as “maintaining strategic strongholds around the world”.

High-ranking American politicians have been critical of Britain’s handling of immigration, most notably Donald Trump, who has suggested that Keir Starmer needs to “deploy military” personnel to stop the small boats crisis. He has broadened his critique to include the whole of Europe, saying last year: “on immigration, you better get your act together.”

Johnson was speaking in the wake of escalating tensions between the US and Europe, as Trump grows more aggressive in his attempts to acquire Greenland. Over the weekend, the US President announced that he would place tariffs on European countries, including the UK, until Greenland was part of America, a move which Starmer called “completely wrong”.

This morning, Johnson attempted to reassure MPs by saying that America and Britain would “face and overcome together the challenges of our present today”, while also saying Starmer’s speech in response to the tariffs was “well done” and achieved “the right message and right tone”. He then warned of the threats posed by America and Britain’s mutual enemies, saying that “China, Russia and Iran are growing more emboldened.”

However, Johnson went on to say that Trump was “taking the threat of Russia and China in the Arctic seriously”. He added that “a strong America is good for the entire world.”

Last night, the US Speaker appeared on Nigel Farage’s GB News show, where the Reform UK leader told Johnson that Trump’s comments risked damaging ties between America and Nato allies. Farage expanded by saying that “to have a US president threatening tariffs unless we agree that he can take over Greenland” is a “very hostile act”.

In response, Johnson said that Trump has a “certain manner” in doing things, while accusing the American media of taking statements that the US President makes “always literally” and not seriously.