WASHINGTON, July 17 : U.S. import prices unexpectedly rose in June as declines in the costs of food and energy products were more than offset by higher prices for capital and consumer goods, leading to the largest annual increase in imported inflation in nearly four years.Import prices increased 0.3 per cent

The consumer price index for the year ending in June rose 3.5%, less than economists expected, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Tuesday.

Tuesday's report likely reduces pressure on the Fed to boost its short-term interest rate to combat inflation.