Trump temporarily waives maritime shipping law to ease energy costs

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.