Khaberni - White House spokeswoman Carolyne Levitt said on Thursday that President Donald Trump's administration is considering suspending the century-old Jones Act for a limited period to ensure freedom of movement for energy shipments and agricultural products between US ports, in an effort to combat supply disruptions linked to Iran.
Levitt added in a statement, "For the sake of national defense, the White House is considering suspending the Jones Act for a limited period to ensure the free flow of vital energy products and agricultural supplies to American ports."
She continued, "This measure has not yet been decided."
Two sources familiar with these efforts said that the announcement could be issued later on Thursday, aiming to combat rising fuel prices and other disturbances since the beginning of the American-Israeli war on Iran.
High gasoline prices carry significant political risks for President Trump and his Republican colleagues, who have long argued that their energy policies will keep fuel prices affordable for American consumers.
The ongoing rise in fuel prices could undermine this message and provoke criticism from Democrats that the administration has failed to protect families from rising costs, especially as voters remain sensitive to inflation ahead of the midterm elections in November.
According to data from the American Automobile Association (AAA), the average retail price for gasoline in the United States reached $3.60 per gallon today, Thursday, for the first time since May 2024, while diesel prices reached $4.89 per gallon, the highest level since December 2022.
Under the Jones Act, goods shipped between US ports must be transported on vessels that are built in the United States, fly its flag, and are owned by it. This requirement severely limits the number of carriers available for domestic shipments.
Temporarily suspending this requirement would allow foreign ships to transport fuel between US ports, which could lead to reduced shipping costs and faster delivery operations.
