Just Some BLS and CPI Report Numbers for April 2026

 President Donald Trump returned from the spectacle of a Chinese state visit to a less than welcoming U.S. economy . . . with the military band and garden tour in Beijing giving way to pressure over how to fix America’s escalating inflation rate.

I would be curious as to what the Chinese thought of the current U.S, President. Anyway on to some economics.

Consumer inflation in the United States increased to 3.8% annually in April. This is higher than what the president inherited. The Iran war and the Republican president’s own tariffs have pushed prices upwards. Inflation is now out- pacing wage gains and making workers poorer. The Cleveland Federal Reserve estimates annual inflation could reach 4.2% in May. The war has been increasing oil and gasoline prices higher even if not justified by cost.

Some more detail as taken from the: Consumer Price Index – April 2026, May 12, 2026

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.6 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis in April, after rising 0.9 percent in March. Reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics May 12, 2026. Over the last 12 months, the “all items index” increased 3.8 percent before seasonal adjustment. The index for energy rose 3.8 percent in April, accounting for over forty percent of the monthly all items increase. The shelter index also increased in April, rising 0.6 percent. The index for food increased 0.5 percent over the month as the index for food at home rose 0.7 percent and the index for food away from home increased 0.2 percent.

AB: Why does this report cause me to feel like we are being screwed by an incompetent President who does not give a damn even if he knew what he has just caused to citizens.

The index for all items less food and energy rose 0.4 percent in April. Indexes that increased over the
month include household furnishings and operations, airline fares, personal care, apparel, and education.
Conversely, the indexes for new vehicles, communication, and medical care were among the major
indexes that decreased in April.

The all items index rose 3.8 percent for the 12 months ending April, after rising 3.3 percent for the 12 months ending March. The all items less food and energy index rose 2.8 percent over the year, following
a 2.6 percent increase over the 12 months ending March. The energy index increased 17.9 percent for the 12 months ending April. The food index increased 3.2 percent over the last year.

Reports about the economy for April . . .