In response to recent attacks by Yemeni Houthi militants in the southern Red Sea, Saudi Arabia significantly increased oil exports from its Muajjiz terminal last month. Ship tracking data indicates that the kingdom’s western terminal near Yanbu shipped 18 million barrels in January, averaging 580,000…

The Jones Act waiver shows how quickly the Trump administration has moved from ideological preference to crisis pragmatism under the pressure of the Iran war. Washington has granted a 60-day waiver of the century-old law, temporarily allowing foreign-flagged ships to carry fuel, fertilizer and other goods between U.S. ports in response to higher prices and supply disruptions linked to the conflict.

The move is significant not because it will dramatically reduce costs on its own, but because it signals that the administration now sees domestic shipping constraints as one of the bottlenecks worsening the economic fallout from the war.

The Trump administration’s confirmation of the U.S.–EU trade agreement marks an important moment in the recalibration of transatlantic commerce. By formally reducing auto and auto parts tariffs from 25% to 15%, retroactive to August 1, Washington has provided long-awaited clarity for European automakers who had been caught in a limbo of uncertainty since the July framework deal was announced.

The decision also carves out broad exemptions for sensitive sectors such as pharmaceuticals, aerospace, and critical raw materials, reflecting both economic pragmatism and strategic calculation. The European auto industry, particularly German manufacturers such as Volkswagen, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz, has been watching these negotiations closely.