What Happened in Fuel Markets When Trump Lifted the Century-Old Jones Act
President Trump temporarily lifted the Jones Act, a century-old law requiring goods shipped between U.S. ports to be carried on American-built and crewed ships, to ease fuel transportation disruptions. The move aimed to address supply bottlenecks and high fuel prices, particularly in regions like the Northeast and Puerto Rico, by allowing foreign-flagged vessels to deliver fuel domestically.
Background
- The Jones Act is a 1920 U.S. law requiring goods shipped between American ports to be carried on ships that are American-built, American-owned, and crewed by Americans. It was designed to protect the domestic shipping industry but has long been criticized for raising costs and creating supply bottlenecks — especially in Puerto Rico and Hawaii, which depend on mainland shipments.
- In 2020, the Trump administration temporarily waived the Jones Act for fuel tankers to speed relief during hurricanes and the Colonial Pipeline cyberattack. Some analysts say this eased gas shortages and lowered prices at the pump, which this article reportedly examines.
- The article is likely relevant to ongoing debates about whether the Jones Act should be permanently reformed or repealed, as well as broader arguments over protectionism vs. free markets in U.S. trade policy.