# U.S. Jones Act waiver extended with narrowed scope > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/us-jones-act-waiver-debate > Updated: 2026-08-10T00:00:00.000Z. Sources: 32. Developments: 3. A Transportation Institute analysis has detailed the potential economic costs of a long-term Jones Act waiver, projecting losses of up to $1.8 billion in annual tax revenue, $2.6 billion in maritime capital investment, and $26.5 billion in shipbuilding demand over ten years. The study also estimates a loss of approximately 133,700 jobs. While the waiver has helped move over 50 million barrels of fuel to regions like the West Coast and Puerto Rico, critics note that about one-third of related voyages involved ships with Chinese ownership or construction, raising security concerns. In response to rising gasoline prices exceeding $4 per gallon, the Trump administration has extended the waiver for 90 days, effective August 17. This marks the longest suspension in the law’s history. To address criticisms regarding the waiver’s scope, the administration has implemented more restrictive terms. The extension is now limited to energy sources—such as crude oil, gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel—and agricultural commodities, including fertilizers and soybean oil. Moving away from blanket exemptions, the administration will now require case-by-case reviews for individual voyages. The Pentagon will consult with the Maritime Administration to determine qualifying shipments. White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers stated the measure is intended to ensure the military and key industries maintain uninterrupted access to critical resources amid global energy market disruptions. The extension specifically aims to mitigate rising costs exacerbated by the conflict with Iran and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, despite opposition from shipbuilders and maritime unions who argue the measure undermines the 1920 law. ## Claims - The extension ensures the U.S. military and key industries maintain uninterrupted access to critical resources. (corroborated by 22 sources) - The administration extended the Jones Act waiver for 90 days. (corroborated by 22 sources) - The waiver has increased domestic deliveries of gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel. (corroborated by 20 sources) - The waiver is limited to cargo involving energy sources and agricultural commodities like fertilizers and soybean oil. (corroborated by 18 sources) - The new waiver requires individual voyages to undergo case-by-case review rather than blanket exemptions. (corroborated by 15 sources) - The extension will take effect on August 17. (corroborated by 10 sources) - The Pentagon will consult with the Maritime Administration to decide which voyages are exempt. (corroborated by 6 sources) - This is the longest suspension of the Jones Act in its 106-year history. (corroborated by 5 sources) - The current Jones Act waiver expires on August 16. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The waiver has been used nearly 200 times over four and a half months through the end of July. (corroborated by 3 sources) - U.S. gasoline prices are averaging over $4 per gallon. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The waiver aims to increase shipping flexibility and reduce transport bottlenecks, potentially lowering gasoline prices by only pennies per gallon. (corroborated by 3 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-10: Jones Act waiver extended 90 days for foreign vessels The Trump administration extended the Jones Act waiver for 90 days, allowing foreign ships to move energy and agricultural goods between U.S. ports under stricter case-by-case review to mitigate supply risks. 25 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-jones-act-waiver-extended-for-90-days-with-narrowed-scope ### 2026-08-04: White House to extend Jones Act waiver to lower U.S. gasoline prices The White House plans to extend the Jones Act waiver, set to expire Aug 16, to increase tanker flexibility and modestly cut U.S. gasoline prices, which average over $4 per gallon, amid Trump’s push for cheaper 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/white-house-to-extend-jones-act-waiver-to-lower-us-gasoline-prices ### 2026-07-31: U.S. Jones Act waiver sparks economic debate and fuels supply‑chain relief A study warns a Jones Act waiver could cost billions and jobs, while the DHS waiver has averted fuel shortages but opened U.S. trade to Chinese-linked ships, prompting bipartisan calls for its end. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-jones-act-waiver-sparks-economic-debate-and-fuels-supplychain-relief --- Cite as: U.S. Jones Act waiver extended with narrowed scope. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/us-jones-act-waiver-debate