<h1>Sri Lanka considers buying US crude oil to fix trade imbalance amid tariff negotiations</h1> Sri Lanka is considering purchasing crude oil from the United States to address trade imbalance issues with Washington. The head of the state fuel entity announced that West Texas Intermediate crude oil would be invited to participate in competitive tender bids. Currently, the country sources all crude oil requirements from Middle Eastern suppliers. Before extending invitations for competitive bidding, officials will obtain samples to test whether the crude can be refined in the domestic refinery. This development occurs amid ongoing negotiations regarding tariffs imposed by the current administration, which were initially set at 44 percent in April but later reduced to 30 percent. The export industry argues this reduction remains insufficient compared to preferential treatment given to competitors, warning that high tariffs could cause job losses and impact the country's IMF-supervised economic recovery program.