Trump Could Trim Cents Off Gas Prices With Jones Act Suspension

March 12, 2026, 7:30 PM UTC

President Donald Trump might dent a spike in gas prices by suspending the 1920 Jones Act, but that might not amount to much for everyday Americans.

A potential 30-day suspension would allow foreign-flagged ships to move oil more easily to areas such as the Northeast where the war in the Persian Gulf has upended energy supplies. California might benefit as well.

Fuel prices probably won’t budge beyond a few cents considering accelerating demand for seaworthy vessels worldwide, energy and transportation policy analysts say. But a suspension of the cabotage law requiring the use of US-flagged vessels to transport cargo between ...

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