By THE ALASKA STORY
March 18, 2026 – In a move aimed at easing rising fuel costs tied to escalating conflict in Iran, President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced a temporary 60-day waiver of the Jones Act, a century-old shipping law long criticized for driving up transportation costs in the United States.
The announcement comes as global energy markets react to instability in the Middle East, pushing gasoline prices higher across the country and raising concerns about supply disruptions.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the waiver is intended to “mitigate the short-term disruptions to the oil market” and ensure that critical resources, including oil, natural gas, fertilizer, and coal, can move more freely between U.S. ports.
The Jones Act, formally known as the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, requires that goods shipped between U.S. ports be transported on vessels that are American-built, American-owned, and American-crewed.
Supporters argue the law protects national security and supports the domestic maritime industry. Critics, however, say it has had the opposite effect, shrinking the U.S. fleet and dramatically increasing shipping costs compared to foreign-flagged vessels.
There are relatively few Jones Act-compliant tankers in operation today, and those that do exist often charge significantly higher rates than international alternatives. That dynamic has long made it more expensive to move fuel between US regions, particularly from energy-producing areas like the Gulf Coast to high-demand markets on the West Coast and in the Northeast.
With tensions rising in Iran and threats to global oil shipping lanes, the administration is seeking to maximize flexibility in domestic energy distribution.
By temporarily lifting Jones Act restrictions, foreign-flagged vessels will be allowed to transport fuel and other resources between U.S. ports, a move expected to increase shipping capacity and reduce bottlenecks.
The waiver could help lower regional price spikes, especially in areas that rely heavily on imported or transported fuel, such as California and parts of the Northeast.
Fuel prices are largely driven by global crude oil markets, and while easing domestic shipping constraints can help on the margins, it does not address the underlying supply pressures caused by geopolitical instability.
The Jones Act has been a frequent target of criticism during past emergencies, including hurricanes and supply chain disruptions, when temporary waivers have also been issued. It’s been especially hard on Alaska.
Trump himself has previously called the law “restrictive,” echoing concerns from free-market advocates who argue it inflates costs for consumers and businesses alike.
3 thoughts on “Trump orders 60-day Jones Act waiver to mitigate gas prices”
Finally, a president with enough cahones to sink the Jones Act long enough to stabilize energy markets. It should be sunk to the bottom of the sea…….just like Trump sank the Iranian frigate that was disguised carrying munitions. This president is stronger than “king.”
He’s almost a “God!”
I have been harping on this issue for the last 10 years. Hawaii, PR and Alaska’s congressional delegation is not pushing for a permanent deletion of this arcane act. If this happened, shipping from the lower 48 to Hawaii and Alaska would drop tremendously. Backhaul rates from the West Coast to China are so cheap that the US could send trash to China. So many shipping lines would bid on this since their ships go back empty.
To the people who said that getting rid of the Jones act wouldn’t “do much for savings”, why are we suspending it to lower the cost on oil? People should push to get rid of this Act.