US Importers Urge Biden to Step Up Protection Against Houthi Attacks in Red Sea

A year after attacks on shipping in the Red Sea began reshaping the global supply chain, a U.S.-based group is calling on President Joe Biden to do more to protect ships passing through the Middle East trade route.

The American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA) also urged union dockworkers and employers to resume contract negotiations and avoid another shutdown of Eastern and Gulf Coast ports that would choke the U.S. economy.

In a letter to Biden, the association urged the government to significantly expand efforts to protect international shipping lanes in the Red Sea from Yemen-based Houthi terrorists.

Although longer voyages diverting around the Red Sea and the resulting higher freight rates have boosted profits for container companies, the trade group said the situation had become unbearable.

“The escalation of Houthi attacks on life and liberty continues to force ships to reroute around the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa,” said Steve Lamar, president and CEO of the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA). “This longer route adds significant costs, delays and environmental damage, exacerbates inflation, increases shipping costs and undermines sustainability goals.”

While the American Society praised the U.S. military for its efforts to protect shipping lanes, including escorting ships and enforcing sanctions, Lamar said Houthi attacks have become more frequent and brazen.

“The Houthis are profiting from these attacks, which continue to put ships and their crews at risk. American businesses, workers, and consumers bear the brunt of the consequences,” he said. “The increased costs of rerouting ships are unsustainable, and the impact on American industries is severe. American consumers and businesses cannot afford further delays or disruptions. The stakes are too high, and immediate action is needed to protect our industries, workers, and the global economy.”

The EU naval operation Aspedas also guards shipping in the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden and parts of the Indian Ocean.

The European Union and the United Kingdom on Monday imposed sanctions on Iranian shipping company IRISL, accusing European carriers of using it to evade attacks in the Red Sea. Ironically, Iran has been a backer of the Houthis’ campaign of violence. The company was sanctioned by the United States in 2020.

The letter from the US importers group comes on the one-year anniversary of the Houthis’ hijacking of the car carrier Galaxy Leader and its 25-member crew from the Philippines, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Mexico and Romania.