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Donald Trump Weighs Shipping Waiver Renewal To Ease Oil, Gas Prices
The Trump administration is weighing an extension of a 60-day Jones Act shipping waiver issued on March 18 to aid movement of oil and fuel between US ports as the Iran conflict strains energy supplies. The waiver could lapse in May, and officials have discussed renewal with oil producers; data reported by Axios shows the measure has been used by more than 40 tankers and enabled about 9 million barrels of domestic delivery. Global energy prices have risen, prompting industry calls to keep domestic crude flowing to refiners.
Why It Matters
The waiver affects how oil and fuel can be moved between US ports, with potential implications for domestic supply and gasoline prices amid broader energy-market pressures.
Timeline
4 Events
April 22, 2026: Renewal discussions and price context
April 22, 2026
Discussions are centered around renewing the March 18 waiver before its May lapse (the 60-day exemption); global energy prices have risen, with Brent crude up about 36% and US unleaded gasoline up about 35% to roughly $4.74 per gallon.
April 22, 2026: Waiver usage and domestic oil deliveries
April 22, 2026
Axios reported that the White House says the Jones Act waiver has been used by more than 40 tankers or is about to be used; it has enabled roughly 9 million barrels of American oil to reach domestic destinations, including California, Florida, Alaska and other states.
April 15, 2026: Teleconference with oil producers on waiver
April 15, 2026
Heads of Trump's National Energy Dominance Council—Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and Energy Secretary Chris Wright—held a teleconference with US oil producers last week to discuss renewal of the March 18 Jones Act waiver.
March 18, 2026: Trump issues 60-day Jones Act shipping waiver
March 18, 2026
The waiver issued on March 18 exempts oil, fuel and other commodities from Jones Act requirements that ships between US ports be American-built, -flagged and -operated; the 60-day exemption is set to lapse in May.