Trump Lifts Ship Ban For 60 Days

 US President Trump announced on the 18th that he would suspend the implementation of the Jones Act for 60 days, lifting shipping restrictions to and from domestic ports, in an effort to curb the rise in oil prices caused by the de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

 According to the Jones Act, which was passed in 1920, ships transporting goods between U.S. domestic ports must be manufactured in the United States, registered in the United States, and fly the U.S. flag; the majority of the ownership of the ships must be held by U.S. citizens, and they must be operated by U.S. crew members.

 White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt issued a statement on the same day, stating that Trump has decided to issue a 60-day waiver to the Jones Act, which is another measure taken to alleviate short-term instability in the oil market while the U.S. military continues its military operations against Iran.

 She said: "This measure will allow important resources such as oil, natural gas, fertilizer, and coal to flow freely to U.S. ports within 60 days." "

 Due to the ongoing conflict, energy prices have continued to rise. American media believe that Trump is trying to reduce domestic transportation costs, support military logistics, and continue supplying energy to U.S. military bases through this move.

 As one of the measures to curb rising oil prices, the United States announced a week ago that it would release 172 million barrels of oil from its strategic petroleum reserve.

 On February 28, the United States and Israel launched a large-scale military operation against Iran, and Iran responded by attacking targets including Israeli and American military bases in the Middle East. Due to the conflict, shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has been almost completely disrupted.