Trump Seeks to Extend Jones Act Waiver to Keep U.S. Oil Shipping Costs Down

Gate News message, April 22 — President Trump is seeking to extend a waiver of the Jones Act, a controversial 1920 U.S. maritime law, that he suspended in March to ease oil transportation across American ports during the Iran conflict. The Jones Act requires cargo transported between U.S. ports to be carried by vessels flying the American flag, significantly increasing shipping costs. Trump issued a 60-day exemption on March 18 to address fuel price increases caused by regional tensions.

According to White House data, the waiver has enabled 40 oil tankers to transport petroleum between ports from California to Texas, Florida, and Alaska, increasing the effective available fleet size by 70% and helping reduce transportation costs.