Trump Renews 90-Day Jones Act Waiver for Foreign Vessels Transporting Energy and Agricultural Goods

President Donald Trump on Monday approved a 90-day extension of a waiver permitting foreign-flagged vessels to carry energy commodities and agricultural products such as fertilizers between American ports. The expansion, effective August 17, builds on an initial suspension of the Jones Act that Trump issued on March 17 to facilitate the movement of crude oil and processed fuels amid regional tensions.

The waiver addresses supply chain concerns tied to reduced shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global energy markets. Administration officials have characterized the measure as necessary to prevent price spikes and ensure stable fuel supplies across domestic markets.

Under the revised waiver, the Pentagon will now coordinate with the Maritime Administration to evaluate which shipments qualify for exemption from the 1920 law establishing the Jones Act. The narrower scope limits eligibility to energy-related cargo and agriculture-linked commodities including fertilizers and soybean oil, departing from earlier versions of the waiver.

White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers stated the extension would help the military and critical industries “maintain uninterrupted access to critical resources.” Rogers noted that prior waivers had boosted domestic availability of gasoline, diesel and jet fuel across U.S. markets.