the United States

měiguó

美国

March

sān yuè

3月

inflation

tōngzhàng

通胀

to rise to

shēng zhì

升至

3.3 percent

sān diǎn sān bǎifēnzhī

3.3%

，

energy

néngyuán

能源

price

jiàgé

价格

to skyrocket / to surge

biāoshēng

飙升

is (formal)

wéi

为

main cause / primary driver

zhǔyīn

主因

。

New Words

News in English

US March Inflation Jumps to 3.3 Percent as Iran Conflict Sends Energy Prices Soaring

The US Consumer Price Index rose 3.3 percent year-on-year in March, up sharply from 2.4 percent in February, driven by a 21.2 percent spike in gasoline prices linked to the Iran conflict.

In March, the United States experienced significant inflation pressures, with the Consumer Price Index rising 3.3 percent year-on-year according to data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics on April 10. This marked a substantial increase from the 2.4 percent recorded in February, far exceeding expectations.

Energy prices emerged as the primary driver of inflation during this period. Energy costs surged 10.9 percent year-on-year, with gasoline prices leading the charge, jumping 21.2 percent. These energy price increases accounted for approximately three-quarters of the overall inflation growth.

Analysts highlighted that this represents the first comprehensive reflection of Middle East tensions following the outbreak of the US-Iran conflict on February 28. These geopolitical developments have directly impacted American consumer prices on a broad scale.

When food and energy costs are excluded, core inflation held at a relatively moderate 2.6 percent. Housing costs increased 3.0 percent year-on-year. Meanwhile, the University of Michigan's Consumer Confidence Index experienced a dramatic decline to 47.6 in April, marking its lowest level since World War II. The decline was largely attributed by surveyed consumers to the Iran conflict and its negative economic impacts.

More in Business