US import prices unexpectedly rise in April

Reuters

Fri, May 16, 2025, 6:11 AM 2 min read

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. import prices unexpectedly roseate successful April arsenic a surge successful the outgo of superior goods offset cheaper vigor products.

Import prices gained 0.1% past period aft dropping 0.4% successful March, the Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics said connected Friday. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast import prices, which exclude tariffs, would alteration 0.4%. In the 12 months done April, import prices edged up 0.1%.

Data this week showed benign user and shaper terms readings successful April. Economists expect the interaction of President Donald Trump's sweeping import duties to go evident successful ostentation information by the mediate of this year.

The tariffs person raised fears of a slowdown successful planetary growth, contributing to a dampening of lipid prices.

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell warned connected Thursday that "we whitethorn beryllium entering a play of much frequent, and perchance much persistent, proviso shocks - a hard situation for the system and for cardinal banks."

Economists expect the U.S. cardinal slope volition resume cutting involvement rates either successful September oregon December. The Fed near its benchmark overnight involvement complaint successful the 4.24%-4.50% scope earlier this month.

Imported substance prices fell 2.6% successful April aft decreasing by 3.4% successful March. Food prices were unchanged aft dipping 0.1% successful the anterior month. Excluding fuels and food, import prices changeable up 0.5%. That followed a 0.1% dip successful March. In the 12 months done March, the alleged halfway import prices accrued 0.8%. Prices for imported superior goods jumped 0.6%, portion those of user goods excluding centrifugal vehicles accrued 0.3%. Prices for imported centrifugal vehicles, parts and engines roseate 0.2%.

The weakness of the dollar is apt contributing to the firmness successful these import prices.

Trump's assertive commercialized policies person rattled investors' assurance successful the dollar, starring to a crisp autumn successful U.S. assets. The trade-weighted dollar is down astir 5.1% this year, with astir of the depreciation occurring successful April.

(Reporting by Lucia Mutikani; Editing by Paul Simao)