Trump temporarily waives the Jones Act to try to lower gasoline prices. Will it work?

The White House has temporarily rolled back a law that requires all goods traveling between U.S. ports to be moved on American-made and American-crewed ships, as the ongoing war with Iran has spiked energy prices across the country.

A person's hand grips a gas pump nozzle at a gas station. A digital display on the gas pump says regular gas is $5.29.
MIDDLE EAST CONFLICT
Gasoline prices are still rising as the Iran war stretches into its third week
"President Trump's decision to issue a 60-day Jones Act waiver 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," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement on social media.

"This action will allow vital resources like oil, natural gas, fertilizer, and coal to flow freely to U.S. ports for sixty days, and the Administration remains committed to continuing to strengthen our critical supply chains."

Source: https://www.npr.org/2026/03/18/nx-s1-5751854/gas-prices-trump-jones-act-iran