What they're not telling you: On Friday, President Donald Trump extended a temporary waiver of the century-old Jones Act (Merchant Marine Act of 1920) for an additional 90 days . The move allows foreign-flagged vessels to transport fuel, oil, fertilizer, and other essential goods between U.S. ports, aiming to stabilize domestic supply chains and ease price pressures stemming from the ongoing U.S.-Israeli war with Iran and resulting disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.
# THE TAKE: Trump's Jones Act Waiver Is Performative Economics Trump's 90-day Jones Act waiver looks decisive but solves nothing. The Jones Act—requiring U.S.-flagged vessels for domestic shipping—barely moves the needle on fuel prices. Domestic shipping costs represent a rounding error in what Americans pay at the pump. Real fuel pressure comes from refinery capacity and global oil markets, neither touched by maritime policy theater. Here's the tell: if this waiver actually mattered, energy markets would've reacted. They didn't. Traders ignored it because they understand what policymakers won't admit—you can't regulate your way out of tight refining margins and geopolitical supply shocks. The waiver extends 90 days because that's long enough to claim credit if prices drop (they will, eventually, for unrelated reasons) and short enough to avoid measuring actual impact. It's competent political messaging masquerading as economic policy.
What the Documents Show
White House Assistant Press Secretary Taylor Rogers announced the extension via social media, stating: “President Trump issued a 90-day extension to the Jones Act waiver. New data compiled since the initial waiver was issued revealed that significantly more supply was able to reach U.S. This waiver extension provides both certainty and stability for the U.S. and global economies.” Rogers added that the administration has taken multiple steps to mitigate short-term energy market disruptions and ensure vital products continue flowing. President Trump issued a 90-day extension to the Jones Act waiver.
Follow the Money
New data compiled since the initial waiver was issued revealed that significantly more supply was able to reach U.S. This waiver extension provides both certainty and stability for the U.S. and… This builds on the initial 60-day waiver issued on March 17 (effective until mid-May), which White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt described at the time as “another step to mitigate the short-term disruptions to the oil market” amid the conflict. The Jones Act requires that goods transported by water between U.S. ports be carried on vessels that are U.S.-built, U.S.-owned, U.S.-flagged, and primarily U.S.-crewed . Enacted in 1920 as Section 27 of the Merchant Marine Act, it was designed to protect and rebuild the American maritime industry following World War I, ensuring a domestic fleet capable of supporting national defense and commerce during emergencies.
What Else We Know
Critics argue it limits vessel availability and raises shipping costs , while supporters say it preserves U.S. jobs, shipbuilding capacity, and strategic maritime independence. Waivers are rare and typically granted only for national defense or emergencies, often following requests from the Department of Defense or in response to natural disasters. Historical precedents include waivers during World War I and II, the Korean War era, Hurricanes Katrina (2005), and other crises like the 2012 Alaska fuel emergency. More recent examples occurred after Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria in 2017. The waiver stems directly from the U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran that began on February 28, 2026.
Primary Sources
- Source: ZeroHedge
- Category: Unexplained
- Cross-reference independently — don't take our word for it.
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