Trump administration weighs Jones Act waiver extension before Sunday deadline

The Trump administration faces a decision on whether to extend the temporary Jones Act waiver, which allows certain foreign-flagged ships to carry cargo between U.S. ports, as energy groups urge a broader extension to support fuel and farm-goods shipments ahead of winter. The American Maritime Partnership and other domestic maritime interests want the waiver to expire, arguing that it has not demonstrably lowered consumer fuel prices and has weakened incentives to invest in U.S. vessels and shipyards; AMP says more than $700 million in planned dredging-vessel investment and over $2.6 billion in broader maritime investment have been delayed. The waiver began during energy-market disruptions and was extended twice, with August changes requiring checks for available U.S.-flagged vessels before foreign ships can be approved. Supporters of the Jones Act also argue that overseas shipbuilders could contribute to U.S. shipbuilding without dismantling domestic protections, and that policy changes should preserve existing U.S. capabilities. The debate underscores the difficulty of making long-term vessel investments while the rules governing the domestic market remain uncertain.