Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Wyatte Grantham-Philips

What to know about the Jones Act as the Trump administration unveils a 60-day waiver

Jones Act Explainer - (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

As the U.S. and Israel's war against Iran continues to upend energy markets and supply chains worldwide, the Trump administration says it will temporarily waive maritime shipping requirements under a more than century-old law known as the Jones Act.

The Jones Act requires that goods hauled between U.S. ports be moved on U.S.-flagged vessels. Passed in 1920, this law aims to protect the American shipping sector — but it's also faced criticism over the years for slowing the delivery of goods, including critical aid during time of crisis. And it’s often blamed for making gas, in particular, more expensive.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.