Agencies: tariff impact already starting to show up in US economic index for March

Trump's tariffs announced yesterday could cause profound changes to prices and economic indicators, but inflation indicators for March are already showing some of the impact of the trade policy, says Comerica's Bill Adams. People are scrambling to buy cars as consumers try to move ahead of the tariffs, which could push up auto prices. In terms of producer prices, commodity markets are already reflecting the sharp rise in tariffs, which could be reflected in higher prices for steel, lumber and other construction materials. However, the full impact of the tariffs ‘could take several quarters’ to show up in indicators. ‘March will be just the beginning.’