Jones Act Waiver Extension Deepens Divide Over U.S. Maritime Policy

The Trump administration’s decision to extend its Jones Act waiver for another 90 days is drawing sharply divided reactions, with U.S. maritime and shipbuilding groups welcoming new restrictions on foreign vessels while warning that continued exemptions could undermine efforts to rebuild the domestic maritime industrial base.

President Donald Trump on Monday extended the waiver allowing foreign-flagged vessels to transport oil and other commodities between U.S. ports, keeping the exemption in place for another 90 days beginning August 17.

The extension comes as the war with Iran continues to disrupt global energy flows and push up fuel prices, increasing pressure on the