Trump, Ramaphosa Talk South Africa-US Trade as Tariffs Kick In

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and his US counterpart Donald Trump spoke by phone on the eve of the introduction of Washington’s punitive new tariff regime.

The call signals an effort by the authorities in Pretoria to invigorate negotiations on a new trade deal with its biggest partner after China. The two nations have failed to make substantive progress on an accord since their leaders met at the White House in May.

Their call on Wednesday coincided with a meeting between South Africa’s foreign minister, Ronald Lamola, and US Chargé d’Affaires David Greene — currently the top US diplomat ...