Trump Administration Plans Jones Act Waivers to Lower Fuel Prices
The Trump administration plans to extend Jones Act waivers for foreign-flagged ships to reduce domestic diesel and gasoline prices amid global conflicts.
The administration of Donald Trump is preparing to extend a waiver to the Jones Act to allow specific foreign-flagged ships to transport oil and other commodities between United States ports. The move aims to lower diesel and gasoline prices, which have risen due to ongoing conflicts in Iran and Ukraine.
Unlike previous blanket exemptions, the proposed extension will likely require a case-by-case review for individual voyages. The Jones Act generally mandates that cargo moving between U.S. ports be carried on ships built in the U.S., owned by U.S. companies, and crewed by American workers.
While the administration intends to use the waiver to reduce transport bottlenecks, some industry experts suggest the impact on gasoline prices may only be a few pennies per gallon. A White House official stated that no final decision has been made and any announcement will come directly from the president or his administration.
