US issues 60-day waiver of Jones Act in an attempt to lower energy prices

Eren Sengezer FXStreet

The White House announced on Wednesday that they have issued a 60-day waiver of the Jones Act shipping law, per Reuters.

The Jones Act, formally known as Section 27 of the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, dictates that all goods transported by water between US ports must be carried on US-built, US-flagged vessels owned and crewed by American citizens and permanent residents.

With this waiver, foreign vessels will be allowed to transport goods to the US. During a press briefing on March 12, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt explained that the waiver would "ensure vital energy products and agricultural necessities are flowing freely to US ports."

Market reaction

This headline failed to trigger a noticeable market reaction. At the time of press, the barrel of West Texas Intermediate (WTI) was trading near $97.60, rising about 3% on the day.

Author

Eren Sengezer

FXStreet

As an economist at heart, Eren Sengezer specializes in the assessment of the short-term and long-term impacts of macroeconomic data, central bank policies and political developments on financial assets.

160.80: Japanese Yen remains close to nearly two-year lows

USD/JPY inches lower after four days of gains, trading around 160.60 during the Asian hours. The USD/JPY pair surged to 160.80 the previous day, marking its highest level since July 2024 and significantly heightening speculation that Japanese authorities could soon intervene to support the struggling Yen.

Australian Dollar remains in positive territory after paring recent gains

AUD/USD pares its daily gains, remaining in the positive territory and trading around 0.7010 during the European hours. The pair appreciated as the Australian Dollar received support from prevailing hawkish sentiment surrounding the Reserve Bank of Australia’s policy outlook.

Gold retreats below $4,300 as USD benefits from hawkish Fed

Gold (XAU/USD) stays on the back foot in the European session and trades below $4,300. Although easing tensions in the Middle East help XAU/USD limit its losses, the broad-based USD strength in the Fed aftermath causes bulls to turn hesitant.

Bitcoin slips below $64,000 as hawkish Fed stance weighs on risk appetite

Bitcoin remains under pressure, extending its correction, trading below $64,000. The US Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged but struck a hawkish tone on Wednesday, dampening the risk sentiment.

Bank Indonesia increases rates by 25 basis points in June: Will it defend the Rupiah?

Bank Indonesia decided to hike the benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points to 5.75% on June 18, from the previous 5.5%. The decision aligned with the market expectations. The Indonesian Rupiah receives support against the US Dollar as an immediate reaction to the BI interest rate decision. The USD/IDR is trading around 17,820.

Regime change: Inside Kevin Warsh's first move to make the Fed unreadable on purpose

The rate did not move. That was the least interesting thing about Kevin Warsh's first meeting in charge of the Fed. The FOMC held its benchmark at 3.50%-3.75% for the fourth straight meeting, exactly as priced, and then the new chair used his first press conference to dismantle the machinery the market has leaned on for a decade.