Report: The White House proposes to extend the Jones Act exemption to ease the price pressure on gasoline

On 5 August, according to Reuters sources, the White House is expected to extend the Jones Act exemption in the coming days to try to lower the price of gasoline using one of the few tools available. The Jones Act requires that shipments between United States ports must be carried by United States-built ships owned by United States companies and operated by United States workers. The oil industry had expected that the exemption would be extended by the end of July, but sources revealed that government officials had continued to meet with representatives of the shipping industry and parliamentarians to discuss possible adjustments to the exemption, while retaining flexibility to transport critical fuel supplies. The current exemption will expire on 16 August, the longest suspension under the Jones Act in the history of the plan. According to United States Government data, the exemption had been used nearly 200 times in the past four and a half months by the end of July. Those opposing the extension of the exemption are promoting the establishment of geographical limits and strengthening the review of each shipment. Key Republican parliamentarians have urged the Government to limit the scope of the exemption and have warned that its widespread use could weaken the United States mainland fleet and undermine the national security objectives of the bill。