Inflation in the United States, as measured by a key index monitored closely by the Federal Reserve, continued to rise last month, ahead of the full impact of tariffs imposed by the Trump administration on imports.

Consumer spending showed a limited rebound in March after experiencing a sharp decline in February.

According to data released by the U.S. Department of Commerce, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose by 2.5% in February, matching the increase seen in January.

Meanwhile, the core index, which excludes the more volatile food and energy prices, increased by 2.8%, up from 2.7% in January.

Inflation remains a significant economic concern for many Americans, despite a marked decrease from its peak in 2022. Former President Trump expressed frustration over rising prices and pledged to reduce inflation rapidly, although the annual rate is currently higher than it was in September, when it briefly fell to 2.1%.

In response to economic pressures, the Trump administration has implemented a 20% tariff on all Chinese products and a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum imports from nearly all countries.

On Wednesday, the administration announced plans to impose an additional 25% tariff on automotive imports and their components.

Analysts and the Federal Reserve expect inflation rates in the U.S. to rise further throughout the year, influenced by these tariffs.