Trump’s Jones Act Waiver Helped Avert Fuel Shortages Across These Key US Regions
1st August 2026
The Department of Homeland Security has issued the broadest Jones Act waiver since at least the 1950s, just weeks after the US-Iran conflict erupted. The measure has allowed foreign-flagged vessels to transport fuel, crude oil, fertilizer, and other essential goods between US ports, bypassing domestic shipping restrictions to mitigate supply chain disruptions across various U.S. regions.
The Jones Act, a century-old law requiring goods transported between U.S. ports to be carried aboard U.S.-Built, US-owned, and US-crewed vessels, was immediately waived in the early days of the U.S.-Iran conflict by the Trump administration.
As of Friday, the waiver has entered its 135th day, suggesting that the administration is continuing to protect domestic supply chains and curb energy prices by temporarily easing maritime protectionist restrictions.
A recent Reuters report stated that the Trump administration was considering another extension of the waiver.
The Jones Act is one of those cut-off-your-nose-to-spite-your-face pieces of legislation that disgrace the U.S. Code. It ought to be repealed, not just waived.