U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson stated during the reporting window from 12:46 a.m. to 3:15 a.m. UTC on January 18, 2026, that he does not foresee military intervention in Greenland, noting its small population and describing President Donald Trump's tariff threats as the president 'playing chess,' according to an X post cited by @RpsAgainstTrump. Johnson's comment, shared via https://x.com/RpsAgainstTrump/status/2012715879381786794, follows Trump's January 17 announcement of 10% tariffs starting February 1 on Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, and Finland, rising to 25% on June 1 unless a Greenland purchase deal is reached, as reported in prior coverage over the past several hours. The statement comes amid European reactions during previous periods, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer's January 18 criticism of tariffs on NATO allies over Arctic security and Greenland sovereignty, Belgium's Foreign Ministry advocacy for dialogue against sovereignty blackmail, and reports of Danish government remarks on U.S. advisor Stephen Miller, per X posts and official statements.
