[U.S. Plans to Extend Jones Act Waiver to Lower Oil Prices, Trump Calls Negative Polls 'Fake'] BlockBeats News, August 5, according to Reuters, the U.S. government is expected to extend the temporary waiver of the Jones Act in the coming days to ease domestic fuel supply pressures and reduce gasoline prices. The Jones Act mandates that goods transported between U.S. ports must be carried on ships that are built in the U.S., owned by U.S. entities, and operated by U.S. crews. This waiver aims to increase flexibility in energy transportation and alleviate fuel supply bottlenecks. The current waiver is set to expire on August 16 and has become the longest suspension in the act's history, having been utilized nearly 200 times over the past four and a half months. U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright stated that the waiver has helped lower energy prices in parts of California and the U.S. East Coast, and the government is expected to continue extending the policy. However, analysts believe the measure has limited impact on oil prices and may only reduce gasoline prices by a few cents. There are internal disagreements within the U.S. government regarding the expansion of the waiver. Some Republican lawmakers and shipping industry organizations are concerned that excessive relaxation of the Jones Act could weaken the U.S. domestic shipping capacity and compromise national security interests. Meanwhile, Trump is facing political pressure due to rising oil prices and declining approval ratings. Multiple polls show his approval rating has dropped to around 32%-34%. Trump responded by calling these surveys 'fake polls' and claimed his actual approval rating is 'the best it has ever been.' The recent Iran conflict has affected energy transportation, pushing U.S. gasoline prices back above $4 per gallon. The Trump administration is attempting to lower consumer fuel costs by increasing energy transportation flexibility and pressuring oil companies. [Original Link]