nitely satisfied by imports and expanded U.S. production. Consequently, inflation will remain a threat, and another increase in interest rates is likely. If oil prices and interest rates continue to climb up, the economy will lose pace and could become vulnerable to a considerable slowdown should any other problems develop. Consumer price inflation could increase significantly in the next few months because of the recent oil price rise. Slower growth prospects may inhibit the flow of investments into the industry. This, in turn, may trigger an economic recession and unemployment. If, however, OPEC increases production, the fear of inflation could lessen and long-term Treasury interest rates could move lower. In this case, a disastrous scenario of the US economy may be avoided. ...
