A messaging group unintentionally revealed a discussion among senior Trump administration officials, including Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, where they criticized Europe for relying too much on the US and questioned whether America should once again support Europe financially. This disclosure occurred after the US carried out military strikes against the Houthis in Yemen, escalating tensions in the Red Sea.

On March 16, the US launched large-scale attacks on Houthi targets, resulting in at least 31 casualties. These strikes were in response to the Houthis' announcement on March 12 that they would resume attacks on Israeli ships passing through the Red and Arabian seas, breaking a brief period of calm that had started in January. While no direct attacks on shipping have been reported since then, the US and Israel have intercepted missiles and drones fired from Yemen. Since November 2023, the Houthis have carried out over 100 assaults on ships near Yemen, claiming that their actions were in solidarity with Palestinians amid the ongoing war in Gaza.

The impact of these attacks has been severe, leading to a sharp decline in Suez Canal traffic by 75% in 2024. As a result, shipping companies have been forced to take longer and costlier routes around Africa, increasing transit times by seven to fourteen days. This situation has also placed a significant burden on the US military, which has had to expend vast resources to intercept Houthi missiles and drones, rapidly depleting its air defense stockpiles.

Reacting to the escalating tensions, Donald Trump issued a stern warning to the Houthis through his Truth Social platform, vowing that they would face destruction "like nothing you have ever seen before" if they did not halt their attacks. The White House defended the strikes as necessary to counter terrorism and protect international trade routes, emphasizing that five of the top ten importers through the Red Sea were European nations. The Houthis, in turn, declared that they would respond to any escalation with further action, though no immediate retaliation has been reported.

The ongoing conflict has disrupted global trade, with the Houthis sinking two vessels, seizing another, and killing at least four crew members. A report from the US Defense Intelligence Agency in April 2024 revealed that the attacks had affected the interests of at least 85 countries and 29 major energy and shipping firms. While European-owned ships were the primary targets, at least eight American-owned vessels were also impacted. Many shipping companies have rerouted their vessels around Africa, leading to higher operational costs and reduced profitability.

Shipping industry leaders have expressed growing concerns about the crisis. Hapag-Lloyd CEO Rolf Habben Jansen recently indicated that hopes for a swift resolution were fading, while Maersk has warned that diverting ships around Africa’s Cape of Good Hope has caused major congestion in alternative route hubs. Maersk CEO Vincent Clerc suggested that either the Houthis' ability to launch attacks must be entirely neutralized or a permanent ceasefire in Gaza must be established for shipping to safely resume through the Red Sea.

In response to the ongoing threat, international coalitions have been formed to safeguard maritime routes. In December 2023, the Biden administration launched "Operation Prosperity Guardian," a multinational coalition of over 20 countries, including the UK, Canada, France, Italy, and Spain, aimed at protecting Red Sea trade. However, in February 2024, the European Union established its own mission, "Operation Aspides," after some nations, including France, refused to participate under US leadership. Aspides has since intercepted multiple missiles and drones while ensuring the safety of over 400 commercial vessels. Following the US airstrikes, Aspides reported a significant decline in ship traffic through the Bab al-Mandab Strait.

Britain has also been actively involved in countering the Houthi threat, having conducted five joint airstrikes with the US last year. Several other nations, including Australia, Denmark, the Netherlands, and New Zealand, have provided logistical and intelligence support for these operations. On March 18, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Donald Trump discussed the US military strikes, with the UK contributing to the mission through routine air-to-air refueling. France has also taken protective measures, previously deploying warships to escort vessels from its shipping giant CMA-CGM. However, the company suspended its Red Sea operations in February 2024 and has remained reluctant to resume them due to security concerns. The uncertainty surrounding the conflict has made it increasingly difficult for shipping companies to plan future operations, raising fears that the crisis may persist for an extended period.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.