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U.S. Import Prices Edge Higher in April as Tariff Impact Remains Limited

Nonfuel and capital goods drive a modest 0.1% rise in import prices, while fuel costs decline, signaling tariffs have yet to trigger significant supply shocks.

Overview

  • The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a 0.1% increase in U.S. import prices for April, following a 0.4% decline in March.
  • Nonfuel goods prices rose 0.4% and capital goods surged 0.6%, marking the largest increase for capital goods since early 2022.
  • Fuel import prices dropped 2.6%, reflecting declines in petroleum and natural gas, contributing to an overall dampening of inflationary pressures.
  • Despite new tariffs introduced in early April, data suggests U.S. demand for foreign goods remains resilient, with no major supply shocks observed so far.
  • Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell cautioned about the potential for persistent supply shocks, complicating inflation management, as inflation expectations for the next year rose to 7.3%.