What to know about the Jones Act as the Trump administration unveils a 60-day waiver

The Trump administration has issued a 60-day waiver of the Jones Act, a 1920 law requiring goods shipped between U.S. ports to be transported on American-owned vessels. The law was designed to protect the domestic shipping industry but has long drawn criticism for raising shipping costs and slowing the delivery of goods during emergencies and normal operations. The waiver temporarily suspends these restrictions, allowing foreign vessels to carry cargo between U.S. ports for the next two months. This type of relief has been used in the past during natural disasters and supply chain crises to accelerate the movement of critical supplies. The administration's action reflects a broader effort to address shipping delays and logistics bottlenecks affecting the U.S. economy.