U.S. import prices rose slightly in June, driven by higher costs for consumer goods despite a decline in energy and food prices, the Labour Department said Thursday.
The data signals that recent tariffs may be adding to inflation.
Import prices increased 0.1% last month, following a revised 0.4% drop in May. Over the 12 months through June, prices declined 0.2%, matching the decrease seen in May.
The rise in core import prices, which exclude food and fuel, was 0.2% in June after a 0.1% gain in May. Over the past year, core prices increased 1.0%.
Imported fuel prices fell 0.7% in June after a 5.0% drop in May. Food import prices declined 0.8% following a 0.7% decrease in the previous month. Prices for imported consumer goods excluding motor vehicles rose 0.4% after falling 0.3% in May.
Capital goods prices were unchanged, while prices for imported motor vehicles, parts, and engines edged down 0.1%.
Recent inflation data has shown rising prices for goods affected by tariffs, both at the consumer and producer levels. President Donald Trump announced in April a series of tariffs on imports from countries including Mexico, Japan, Canada, Brazil, and the European Union.
The new duties are set to take effect August 1.
Economists expect the tariffs to keep goods prices high through the rest of the year. A weaker dollar is also expected to add pressure, with the trade-weighted dollar down about 7.1% so far in 2025.
