81.   Second, by helping to push up import prices a weaker yen will make deflation less likely.

82.   Since that meeting, import prices have dropped and some high-profile companies, like Home Depot, have warned of earnings shortfalls.

83.   Some also hope that reciprocal tariff cuts by the United States will reduce import prices and help their bottom line.

84.   Some investors expect Clarke to cite the decline in import prices as a reason to defer further rate rises.

85.   Tame producer and import prices will likely keep the lid on consumer prices in coming months, economists said.

86.   That means higher import prices are less likely to bolster consumer inflation.

87.   That strength, he said, has helped keep inflation and interest rates low in the U.S. by holding down import prices.

88.   That includes small companies and non-manufacturers, who are vulnerable to higher import prices.

89.   That strength, he added, has helped keep inflation and interest rates low in the U.S. by holding down import prices.

90.   The catalyst was a report that German import prices rose more than expected in July, triggering concern the German central bank will raise rates to curb inflation.