Overview
Two sources familiar with the decision say the White House is expected to extend a waiver of the Jones Act for up to 90 days, potentially as soon as Friday. The move would be temporary and is aimed at easing fuel price pressures related to the Iran conflict and heightened tensions in the Strait of Hormuz.
What the waiver would change
The expected extension would relax longstanding rules that require goods transported between U.S. ports to move on American-built, American-owned and American-crewed vessels. Under the temporary waiver, foreign-flagged ships would be permitted to transport fuel and other key commodities more freely between U.S. coastal markets, increasing the pool of available vessels for domestic shipments.
Official comment
A White House official said the extension is under consideration, and declined to comment on the potential length or the timing of any announcement. Beyond that confirmation of consideration, no further details were provided by the administration in the information available.
Precedent earlier this year
Earlier this year, Trump waived Jones Act limitations for 60 days beginning March 17. That waiver was intended to help reduce a surge in fuel prices attributed to the Iran war by expanding shipments from the U.S. Gulf Coast to other coastal markets in the country.
Why this matters
The temporary relaxation of the Jones Act would be a tactical effort to improve the movement of fuel and key commodities between U.S. ports in the face of international disruptions. By broadening the set of vessels eligible to carry domestic cargo for a set period, the administration aims to increase throughput from supply hubs such as the U.S. Gulf Coast to other coastal markets.
Limitations of available information
Details remain limited. The reported expectation rests on accounts from two sources familiar with the decision and a White House official who confirmed only that the extension was being considered and declined to address timing or duration specifics. The exact start date and any operational conditions attached to a waiver of up to 90 days have not been disclosed.
Contact: For further detail, observers will await an official announcement from the administration regarding any formal waiver extension and the precise terms that would apply.