President Trump on Wednesday temporarily set aside a century-old shipping restriction in a bid to ease surging energy and fertilizer costs — a move that ag leaders say could deliver critical relief to American farmers just weeks before spring planting begins.
The 60-day waiver of the Merchant Marine Act of 1920 (Jones Act) will allow foreign-flagged vessels to transport goods between U.S. ports — a significant shift from longstanding policy that requires such shipments to be carried on American-built and -operated ships. Administration officials said the change is intended to loosen supply constraints and lower transportation costs as global energy markets reel from the escalating conflict tied to Operation Epic Fury.
The administration has framed the waiver as part of a broader effort to shore up supply chains and blunt the economic fallout from the U.S.-Israeli military operation against Iran, which began on Feb. 28.
“President Trump’s decision to issue a 60-day Jones Act waiver is just another step to mitigate the short-term disruptions to the oil market,” said White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt in a statement, adding that the action would help ensure the flow of oil, natural gas, fertilizer, and coal to domestic ports.
The move comes as the war with Iran has disrupted global shipping lanes, particularly through the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow passage that handles a substantial share of the world’s oil shipments. The resulting bottlenecks have driven up fuel and input costs across the United States, raising concerns among policymakers about knock-on effects for food production and inflation.
For America’s farmers, the timing is especially critical. Producers across the Midwest are preparing to enter planting season, a period when demand for diesel fuel and fertilizers typically peaks. Industry groups have warned that elevated input costs — particularly for nitrogen-based fertilizers heavily tied to global energy prices — could squeeze margins and influence planting decisions.
By expanding the number of vessels able to move fuel and fertilizer between domestic ports, the waiver is expected to reduce shipping costs and improve availability in key agricultural regions. Analysts say that could help stabilize prices in the near term, offering farmers some certainty as they finalize crop plans.
Ag leaders welcomed the decision, arguing that even a temporary easing of logistical constraints could have an outsized impact during a narrow planting window.
Corey Rosenbusch, President and CEO of The Fertilizer Institute (TFI):
“This action is especially important given the structural challenges in fertilizer logistics. The U.S. faces a classic mismatch between demand geography, where fertilizer is needed by farmers, and production geography, where fertilizer is produced. Expanding transportation flexibility can help alleviate that strain.
“It can cost significantly less to ship fertilizer internationally than between U.S. ports, where Jones Act requirements can nearly double transportation costs.
“We appreciate the Administration’s recognition of the importance of efficient fertilizer movement to American agriculture as we approach our narrow window of a few weeks to get fertilizer applied and crops in the ground. The fertilizer industry remains committed to ensuring farmers have reliable access to the nutrients they need to grow the crops that feed communities across the country and around the world.”
Zippy Duvall, President of the American Farm Bureau Federation:
“Farmers applaud President Trump for temporarily waiving Jones Act regulations to allow more ships to bring critical fuel and fertilizer materials to America’s ports. Spring planting season is already underway and the jump in fertilizer and fuel costs, as well as the threat of shortages, sent shockwaves across rural America at a time when farmers are already grappling with low commodity prices and high inflation.
“Farm Bureau sent several recommendations to the president that would help farmers get needed supplies, including the waiver announced today. We’re pleased that he understands the market pressures they face and the short window they have to get crops into the ground. We look forward to working with the administration on further steps to ensure farmers have the resources necessary to grow the food we all rely on.”
