Trump Extends Jones Act Waiver to Lower Gasoline Prices

The White House is expected to extend a waiver of the Jones Act in the coming days to lower U.S. gasoline prices, which currently average over $4 a gallon. The waiver, which expires August 16 and is the longest in the program's history, allows cargo between U.S. ports to be carried by non-U.S. ships to resolve transport bottlenecks.

Donald Trump is pursuing this measure alongside escalating rhetorical pressure on Exxon Mobil and Chevron, asserting the companies make too much money and should return profits to consumers. Energy Secretary Chris Wright announced on August 4 that fuel prices are expected to decrease in the coming weeks, stating that the waiver has already lowered costs in California and on the East Coast.

The administration is currently meeting with lawmakers and maritime representatives to potentially narrow the waiver's scope. House Speaker Mike Johnson and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise have urged limits on the exemption to protect the domestic fleet and national security. Similarly, the American Maritime Partnership argues that the broad waiver undermines the U.S. maritime industrial base by shifting routine domestic commerce to foreign operators, including entities linked to China and Russia.