President Trump Is Standing Up to Terrorism and Protecting International Commerce

Press Releases

TLDR

This press release exaggerates the economic impact of Houthi attacks on global shipping, overstates disruption levels, ignores that many companies have adapted via alternative routes, fails to acknowledge the political context of attacks (response to Israel-Hamas war), omits that attacks target specific nations while allowing others passage, and presents a simplified terrorism narrative that may justify military action while overlooking the complex regional dynamics and limited effectiveness of previous military responses.

This White House statement on Houthi attacks claims thiese actions have caused “sustained negative effect on global trade” and increased inflation by 0.6-0.7% in 2024. While shipping disruptions are real, the statement fails to acknowledge that:

  • Many shipping companies have successfully adapted to the situation, with alternative routes via the Cape of Good Hope becoming normalized
  • The statement omits that some shipping companies continue regular operations through the Red Sea, notably CMA CGM of France
  • The claimed inflation impact lacks substantiation and fails to separate Houthi-related effects from other global economic factors

The chronology of attacks presents a one-sided narrative that:

  • Ignores the political context of the Houthi campaign, which began as a response to the Israel-Hamas war
  • Fails to mention that Houthi attacks intensified after US-UK retaliatory strikes, suggesting that military intervention may have escalated rather than deterred the situation
  • Omits that the Houthis have specifically targeted vessels with connections to Israel, the US, and UK while allowing other nations’ ships safe passage

The statement frames the issue purely as terrorism while ignoring:

  • The complex political dimension where the Houthis are using maritime disruption as leverage in the broader regional conflict
  • Evidence suggesting the Houthis have established a system of selective targeting that functions as a form of economic sanctions against specific nations
  • Reports that the Houthis may be operating a protection payment scheme, collecting up to $180 million monthly from shipping companies for safe passage

While the disruption is significant, the statement overstates its scope:

  • The US East Coast has experienced less disruption than claimed due to the Panama Canal offering an alternative route
  • The statement fails to note that a “steady flow of local and region-based vessels continue to ply the Red Sea daily”
  • The claim of no US-flagged ships safely transiting for “over a year” contradicts evidence that many vessels continue to navigate the region with proper security measures

The statement appears designed to justify potential military action while simplifying a complex geopolitical situation into a straightforward terrorism narrative, ignoring the regional context and the mixed effectiveness of previous military responses to the Houthi maritime campaign.

The White House March 15, 2025

It has been over a year since a U.S.-flagged commercial ship safely sailed through the Suez Canal, the Red Sea, or the Gulf of Aden. No terrorist force will stop American commercial and naval vessels from freely sailing the Waterways of the World.

Our economic and national security have been under attack by the Houthis for too long. Today, President Trump’s action and leadership are moving to end this.

Shipping Disruption

  • Houthi attacks against shipping since 2023 have caused a sustained negative effect on global trade and the economic security of the United States. A 2024 Defense Intelligence Agency report detailed how container shipping through the Red Sea has precipitously declined due to Houthi attacks.
  • Before their attacks, 25,000 merchant ships passed through the Red Sea annually. The current number has dropped to around 10,000 ships annually.
  • Imports of consumer goods and cars to the United States, as well as agricultural exports from our own Gulf of America, have been rerouted due to the Houthi attacks.
  • In November 2023, the Houthis seized the ship M/V Galaxy Leader and began to attack commercial ships with anti-ship missiles and unmanned vehicles.
  • Houthi attacks caused approximately 75% of U.S.- and UK-affiliated vessels to reroute around Africa instead of transiting the Red Sea. Traveling around Africa takes an average of ten days longer than sailing through the Red Sea. Additional fuel costs are roughly one million dollars more for each voyage around Africa.
  • Higher shipping rates caused by Houthi attacks probably increased global consumer goods inflation between 0.6 and 0.7 percent in 2024.

Impacts to Allies and Partners

  • The Red Sea serves a primary conduit for trade between Europe and Asia. Around 95% of ships traveling between Europe and Asia normally would go through the Red Sea.
  • Out of the top ten importers (by value) of trade through the Red Sea, five are EU nations.
  • Houthi attacks caused approximately 60% of EU-affiliated vessels to reroute around Africa instead of transiting the Red Sea

The Houthis have attacked U.S. warships 174 times and commercial vessels 145 times since 2023.

2023

  • October 19, 2023: The USS Carney, a U.S. Navy destroyer, intercepted multiple missiles launched from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen. These missiles posed a threat to U.S. forces.
  • November 19, 2023: The Houthis attacked and seized the M/V Galaxy Leader and held the multinational crew hostage for over a year.
  • December 3, 2023: Houthi forces launched missiles and drones targeting three commercial ships in the Red Sea. The USS Carney responded to distress calls and intercepted three drones during this assault.
  • December 16, 2023: The USS Carney engaged and destroyed 14 drones launched by the Houthis in the southern Red Sea, preventing potential attacks on U.S. military and commercial maritime vessels.
  • December 26, 2023: The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and USS Gravely responded to a distress call from the commercial vessel Maersk Hangzhou, which was under attack by Houthi forces. U.S. Navy helicopters engaged, resulting in the sinking of three Houthi boats.
  • December 30, 2023: Houthi forces fired anti-ship ballistic missiles targeting the USS Gravely. The destroyer successfully intercepted the incoming missiles, preventing any damage.

2024

  • January 10, 2024: The Houthis launched a large-scale missile and drone attack against U.S. and UK naval forces in the Red Sea. The coordinated defense successfully neutralized all incoming threats.
  • January 15, 2024: The Houthis rebels targeted the U.S.-owned M/V Gibraltar Eagle with a missile, resulting in damage to the vessel.
  • January 17, 2024: The Houthi rebels targeted the U.S.-owned cargo ship Genco Picardy in the Gulf of Aden using drones, resulting in damage to the vessel.
  • January 26, 2024: The oil tanker Marlin Luanda, linked to British interests, was attacked by Houthi missiles in the Gulf of Aden, causing a fire onboard.
  • August 21, 2024: The Houthi rebels attack the Greek-flagged oil tanker M/V Sounion, threatening a massive oil-spill and followed by a months-long salvage effort.
  • September 27, 2024: The USS Spruance, USS Stockdale, and USS Indianapolis were targeted by a barrage of missiles and drones launched by Houthi forces in the Red Sea. All threats were intercepted without any damage to the U.S. warships.
  • November 11, 2024: Houthi forces launched a coordinated attack involving drones, ballistic missiles, and cruise missiles against the USS Spruance and USS Stockdale in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait. The U.S. destroyers successfully intercepted all incoming threats.
  • December 1, 2024: While escorting U.S.-flagged merchant vessels in the Gulf of Aden, the USS Stockdale and USS O’Kane intercepted multiple missiles and drones launched by Houthi forces, ensuring the safety of the convoy.
  • December 9–10, 2024: The USS Stockdale and USS O’Kane again faced Houthi-launched drones and missiles while escorting merchant vessels in the Gulf of Aden. All threats were neutralized without any damage.