Updated April 29, 2026
President Trump is extending a temporary waiver of the Jones Act for 90 days beginning at 12 a.m. ET on May 18, the White House said, aiming to help reduce fuel prices as the war in Iran continues to disrupt global oil supplies. The Jones Act requires goods transported between U.S. ports to be carried on vessels that are U.S.-built, -flagged and -crewed; Trump first waived the law on March 18 for 60 days to ease energy market strains after the conflict removed roughly one-fifth of global oil output.
White House press secretary Taylor Rogers said new data showed additional supply was able to reach U.S. ports more quickly after the initial waiver, and that extending the relief will provide stability for U.S. and global markets while ensuring delivery of energy products, industrial materials and agricultural goods.
According to the administration, more than 40 tankers have used or will use the waiver, increasing the availability of transport between U.S. ports by over 70% and enabling more than 9 million barrels of U.S. oil to reach domestic terminals.
Supporters of the move say the waiver expands the pool of ships that can move cargo coastwise, lowering costs that are otherwise higher under the Jones Act. Colin Grabow of the Cato Institute said the extension indicates the administration believes it is producing benefits for the country by making more vessels available and easing shipping constraints.
Critics argue the waiver harms the U.S. domestic maritime industry and has not delivered lower consumer prices. Aaron Smith, president of the Offshore Marine Service Association, said the initial waiver “has not reduced gasoline prices” and warned the extension could weaken American maritime capacity while aiding foreign shippers.
The waiver is one of several actions the administration has taken to temper energy prices amid the Iran war, including a release of 172 million barrels from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve and a temporary easing of sanctions on Russian oil. Analysts say fully reopening tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz would also be important to restoring prewar oil flows; shipping through the strait remains well below previous levels.