Trump Scrambles With 60-Day Jones Act Waiver as Gas Prices Surge
President Donald Trump has waived the Jones Act for 60 days as gas prices surge during the ongoing Iran war, a move aimed at lowering fuel costs as pressure builds nationwide.
The decision comes as oil markets react to escalating conflict and disrupted supply routes, with prices nearing $110 per barrel and U.S. gas prices jumping sharply in recent weeks.
According to NPR and Reuters, the waiver allows foreign-flagged ships to transport oil, gas, and other energy products between U.S. ports, bypassing a century-old law requiring American-built and operated vessels.
But the policy shift is colliding with a larger problem. The Strait of Hormuz, which carries about 20% of global oil supply, has been effectively disrupted by the conflict, limiting global flow and driving prices higher regardless of domestic shipping changes.
“This action will allow vital resources like oil and natural gas to flow freely,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement.
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Analysts say the move may have little measurable impact because global crude prices, not shipping rules, are the main force behind what Americans pay at the pump.
The waiver is part of a broader response that includes releasing oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve and easing restrictions on foreign oil imports, signaling concern inside the administration about sustained price increases.
What happens next depends largely on the conflict itself, as continued instability in the Middle East could keep oil markets tight and prices elevated despite policy interventions.
For now, the relief Americans are waiting for may depend less on policy and more on global supply returning.
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