Republican U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson said on Monday the “survival of the West” depended on countries prioritising their own national interests before extending a helping hand to their neighbours.

Speaking via video link at the Alliance for Responsible Citizenship (ARC) conference in London, Johnson argued the U.S. could only maintain its “strength and leadership” if its foreign policy was centred on its national interests.

“It’s a matter of common sense for each of our countries to acknowledge that we must each take care of our own houses before we help take care of the neighbourhood,” Johnson said.

"As we seek to make America safer, stronger and more prosperous, we will encourage all our friends and allies to do the same in and for their own countries.