White House: Biden Administration Focuses on Red Sea Attacks Due to Importance of Shipping Lanes

The Director of the National Economic Council at the White House, Lael Brainard, announced today that President Joe Biden's national security team is closely monitoring the situation in the Red Sea, where Houthi forces are attacking commercial ships. She added that the team does not expect the diversion of ships from the Suez Canal to affect the availability of products intended for holiday shopping. She told reporters that the U.S. economy has proven resilient, with inflation declining more rapidly than even the most optimistic forecasts, and growth remaining strong. However, she noted that the U.S. administration will remain vigilant for risks that include geopolitical issues such as the ongoing Russian war in Ukraine, the potential disruption of grain markets, and developments in the Red Sea.