President Trump Evaluates Extension Of Jones Act Waiver To Stabilize Domestic Energy Transport Costs

President Trump may extend the Jones Act waiver for foreign ships to help transport US oil and lower energy costs during the ongoing Iran war.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 22, 2026, 3:35 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Times of Israel

Strategic Maneuvers In Domestic Fuel Logistics

The White House is reportedly weighing a significant extension of maritime deregulation to address the logistical bottlenecks currently impacting the American energy market. According to US officials cited by Axios, President Donald Trump is reviewing the status of a waiver originally granted to bypass the restrictive Jones Act. This potential extension would allow the continued use of foreign flagged cargo ships to transport fuel and other essential goods between domestic ports, a practice usually reserved strictly for American built and crewed vessels.

Responding To The Economic Shocks Of Conflict

The current push for extended shipping flexibility is a direct response to the volatile global energy landscape shaped by the Iran war. The conflict has triggered a sharp surge in domestic fuel prices, prompting the administration to look for unconventional ways to increase supply efficiency. According to the report, the administration believes that removing the standard maritime barriers will allow for a more rapid movement of refined products from the US Gulf Coast to high demand coastal markets in the Northeast and West.

The Evolution Of The March Emergency Order

The initial 60 day suspension of Jones Act limitations was enacted on March 17 as an emergency measure to stabilize the market during the onset of regional hostilities. By allowing foreign tankers to enter the domestic trade routes, the government sought to saturate the market with available fuel and curb the inflationary pressure on consumers. According to official sources, the administration is now determining whether the initial two month window is sufficient or if the persistent nature of the conflict requires a longer term suspension of federal shipping laws.