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In its bid to start fuel sale to Sri Lanka as part of efforts to reduce the trade gap, the U.S. has dispatched samples of its crude oil to be tested for viability here,an official said. The U.S. has slapped 30 percent tariffs on Sri Lankan products entering its market. Yet , time has been given till August 1 for talks to explore the possibility of reducing it further in case Sri Lanka takes measures to narrow the trade gap which is in its favour at the moment. Sri Lanka proposed to purchase fuel from the U.S. if it is cost effective. Afterwards, it sought samples of WTC crude produced in the U.S. Asked about the current status, Chairman of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) D.A. Rajakaruna told Daily Mirror that samples had been dispatched through a courier service, but it would take a couple of weeks or more to reach Sri Lanka. Therefore, he said Sri Lanka would not be able to firm up any decision on fuel trading with the U.S. before August 1, when new tariffs are expected to become effective. "We cannot bring them quickly by air because they are dangerous cargo," he said. Meanwhile,President Anura Kumara Dissanayake had a virtual discussion with U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer regarding the further reduction of trade tariffs imposed on Sri Lankan exports. The primary objective of the virtual meeting was to discuss the further reduction of proposed trade tariffs on Sri Lankan exports and to further strengthen trade and investment relations between the two nations. International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission team led by Mr. Evan Papageorgio recently said that, " While the economic outlook is positive, downside risks have increased on the back of potentially high tariffs on Sri Lanka’s exports, persistent trade policy uncertainty, and heightened geopolitical tensions. This underscores the critical importance of maintaining the reform momentum and the efforts to rebuild fiscal space and external buffers. These reforms will enhance Sri Lanka’s resilience to shocks and safeguard the hard-won economic progress to date. Should such shocks materialize, they will be addressed within the contours of the EFF program, he said after conclusion of his recent mission to Sri Lanka.