The Trump administration has revealed intentions to suspend the Jones Act for a period of 60 days. This move aims to alleviate the disruptions caused by the Iran conflict by facilitating smoother transportation of goods to American ports. Various studies suggest that lifting the act could potentially lower gas prices, although some experts are skeptical about its effectiveness in mitigating the impacts of the war. President Donald Trump seeks to soften the blow of disruptions stemming from the Iran conflict by temporarily lifting a longstanding shipping law. What exactly is the Jones Act, and how might suspending it help protect Americans from the repercussions of the war? Trump’s decision involves waiving a century-old law dating back to 1920, which mandates that goods transported between US ports must be carried on vessels constructed and registered domestically. With this law suspended for two months, foreign ships will gain entry to US trade routes, potentially reducing costs related to crude oil, refined products, and agricultural items like fertiliser. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt made the announcement in a recent post on Wednesday. She stated, “President Trump’s choice to grant a 60-day waiver for the Jones Act is part of our efforts to address short-term disruptions in the oil market while our military works towards achieving objectives under Operation Epic Fury.” “This step will enable crucial resources such as oil, natural gas, fertilizer, and coal to flow freely into US ports for a sixty-day period, as we continue enhancing our vital supply chains,” she added. The decision to waive the Jones Act comes at a time when experts in economics and finance are concerned that the repercussions of the war may soon have a more pronounced impact on US consumers. Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s, recently warned that failure to take action swiftly could push the US economy towards recession. Bob McNally, president of Rapidan Energy Group, expressed in an interview with Business Insider that oil prices could surge to levels not seen since the 2008 crisis, leading to economic hardships. Prior to this recent action by the administration, JPMorgan analysts had indicated that lifting the Jones Act would not yield long-lasting effects; however, others believe it could provide assistance. Even before the onset of the Iran conflict, the Jones Act was identified as a contributing factor to high energy costs in America. A study conducted by the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago in December 2023 revealed that this law had increased consumers’ gas bills by $769 million that year. More recently, researchers from MIT’s Center for Energy and Environmental Policy Research examined how suspending the Jones Act could affect consumers economically. Their findings from February 2025 suggested positive outcomes for consumers should this act be lifted. “If the Jones Act were eliminated, it would have resulted in an average price reduction of $0.63 per barrel for gasoline on the East Coast during 2018–2019,” noted their study. While there is potential for reduced gas prices in America due to lifting the Jones Act waiver, its legal basis remains unclear. The official text of this order has not yet been posted on the White House website; moreover, one section of the Jones Act specifies that all waivers or extension waivers must not exceed a total duration of 45 days combined.