U.S. import prices flat; dollar curbing imported inflation

By Lucia Mutikani

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. import prices were unchanged in July as a surge in the cost of fuels was offset by weak prices elsewhere, suggesting a strong dollar was keeping imported inflation pressures in check.

The Labor Department said on Tuesday the flat reading in import prices last month followed an upwardly revised 0.1 percent drop in June. Import prices were previously reported to have declined 0.4 percent in June.

Economists polled by Reuters had forecast import prices gaining 0.1 percent in July. In the 12 months through July, import prices rose 4.8 percent, the largest gain since February 2012, after increasing 4.7 percent in June.

Last month, prices for imported fuels and lubricants jumped 1.6 percent after rising 1.3 percent in June. Food prices dropped 1.8 percent after declining 2.6 percent in June. Excluding fuels and food, import prices slipped 0.1 percent in July after falling 0.2 percent in the prior month.

The so-called core import prices increased 1.6 percent in the 12 months through July. The monthly drop in core import prices likely reflected the dollar's 0.5 percent appreciation against the currencies of the United States' main trading partners in July.

The dollar has gained more than 4 percent on a trade-weighted basis so far this year, which could temper the anticipated increases in the prices of some imported goods as a result of trade tensions between the United States and major economies.

The Trump administration has imposed tariffs on steel and aluminum imports to protect domestic industries from what it says is unfair foreign competition. Major trading partners, including the European Union, China, Mexico and Canada have responded similarly with tariffs of their own.

Washington has also slapped import duties on Canadian lumber as well as a range of consumer goods from China.

In July, import prices for nonfuel industrial supplies and materials tumbled 1.0 percent, the biggest monthly drop since January 2016, after rising 0.2 percent in June.

The cost of imported capital goods dipped 0.1 percent after a similar drop in June. Imported motor vehicle prices were unchanged. The cost of consumer goods excluding automobiles rose 0.3 percent, reversing June's 0.3 percent drop.

Prices for goods imported from China fell 0.2 percent in July, the first drop since September 2017, after edging up 0.1 percent in the prior month. Prices for Chinese imports rose 0.2 percent in the 12 months through July.

The report also showed export prices fell 0.5 percent in July, the biggest drop since May 2017, after rising 0.2 percent in June. Prices for agricultural products fell 5.3 percent last month, the largest decline since October 2011, weighed down by a 14.1 percent plunge in soybean prices.

China's retaliatory tariffs on U.S. soybeans have driven down prices in recent months. There were also declines in the prices for corn, wheat, fruits and nuts in July.

Export prices increased 4.3 percent on a year-on-year basis in July after rising 5.3 percent in June. Agricultural prices fell 2.0 percent in the 12 months to July, the first annual decrease in a year.

(Reporting By Lucia Mutikani; Editing by Andrea Ricci)