The Trump administration on Friday announced a 90-day extension of a Jones Act waiver that temporarily suspends requirements mandating that goods shipped between U.S. ports be carried on American-built and American-crewed vessels, a move intended to help reduce fuel costs.
White House assistant press secretary Taylor Rogers said via social platform X that new data compiled since the initial waiver shows significantly more supply reaching U.S. ports faster through improved shipping flexibility.
The decision comes amid rising fuel prices driven by the ongoing Iran war and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint through which roughly 20 percent of global oil supply passes. Brent crude rose to 105 dollars per barrel on Friday, while West Texas Intermediate reached 95 dollars. The national average for gasoline stood at 4 dollars per gallon, according to AAA.
Rogers also said the extension is intended to provide certainty and stability for both the U.S. and global economies. She noted that the administration’s broader actions aim to mitigate short-term disruptions in energy markets and ensure continued delivery of energy products, industrial materials, and agricultural necessities.
The original waiver was expected to deliver modest savings at the pump by lowering shipping costs, with a 2022 JPMorgan projection estimating about 10 cents per gallon in savings for East Coast drivers. A Reuters/Ipsos poll released Friday found that 77 percent of U.S. voters believe the president bears at least some responsibility for the recent increase in gas prices.
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