19 January 2024
Recent attacks by Iranian-backed Houthi militants in the Red Sea have caused disruptions in the Suez Canal, a crucial maritime route handling 12% of global container traffic. This poses a potential risk to the European economy, which is already grappling with high inflation and teetering on the brink of a mild recession. Prolonged disruption in this key shipping lane could threaten the economic outlook of Europe and potentially affect central banks’ plans to reduce interest rates this year. However, so far, the impact on Europe’s economy has been minimal. Germany’s Economy Ministry noted only minor effects on delivery times, and the Bank of England’s Andrew Bailey also acknowledged limited impact but expressed concern about ongoing uncertainties.