U.S. President Donald Trump granted ‌a 90-day extension to a shipping ​waiver that makes it ⁠easier to move oil, fuel and fertilizer around the United States, the White House ‌said on Friday (April 24, 2026), the latest effort to curb rising energy ‌costs linked to the ‌war ⁠with Iran. The decision adds ⁠roughly three months to the existing waiver that was set to expire on May ​17, enabling foreign-flagged vessels ‌to move commodities between U.S. ports through mid-August.

White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers confirmed on Friday (April 24, 2026) that Mr. Trump ‌had issued the extension. “This waiver ​extension provides both certainty and stability for the U.S. and ⁠global economies,” Ms. Rogers said. The Jones Act has long been a flashpoint ‌between competing economic and national security priorities. Supporters, including U.S. shipbuilders, maritime unions and some lawmakers, argue the law is critical to maintaining a domestic shipping industry and merchant ‌marine that can support military logistics ​and national security.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday (March 18, 2026) temporarily waived a century-old shipping law to help ease energy costs that have surged since U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran plunged the West Asia into war.

Mr. Trump’s move to issue a 60-day Jones Act waiver would lift a ban on foreign-flagged vessels transporting cargo between U.S. ports over this period.

Iran-Israel war updates on March 18, 2026

The 1920 law was aimed at promoting American shipbuilding, but critics argue that it hampers free trade and has raised costs for consumers.

Mr. Trump’s latest move is “just another step to mitigate the short-term disruptions to the oil market as the U.S. military continues meeting the objectives of Operation Epic Fury,” said White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt in a statement.

She was referring to the joint U.S.-Israeli offensive launched against Iran on February 28.

“This action will allow vital resources like oil, natural gas, fertilizer and coal to flow freely to U.S. ports for sixty days,” Ms. Leavitt added.

She vowed that the Trump administration “remains committed to continuing to strengthen our critical supply chains.”

According to AAA motor group data, U.S. gasoline prices have risen more than 27% since the start of the war.