President Donald Trump has extended a waiver for 90 days, allowing foreign ships to transport goods such as oil, fertilizers, and other fossil fuel products among U.S. ports.
Background
The president first waived the Jones Act on March 17 to reduce price pressures after the start of the war with Iran. The latest extension will take effect on August 17 and suggests that the U.S. might be preparing for continued price pressures as the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed.
The new waiver will only apply to cargo that are sources of energy and commodities related to agriculture, such as fertilizers and soybean oil. The Pentagon will consult with the Maritime Administration to decide which voyages are exempt from the 1920 law containing the Jones Act.
Taylor Rogers, a White House spokeswoman, said the administration extended the waiver “to ensure our military and key industries maintain uninterrupted access to critical resources.” Rogers added that the waiver has increased domestic deliveries of gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
