President Donald Trump hands papers to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa during a meeting in the Oval Office on May 21, 2025. Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images
JOHANNESBURG—African countries that were targeted in President Donald Trump’s latest effort to gain better economic deals for the United States say they have a lot to offer the world’s largest economy but that they need more time to negotiate new trade agreements with Washington.
The U.S. leader sent almost identical letters to 21 countries on July 7 and July 9 using his Truth Social platform, saying higher tariffs on their exports to the United States will begin on Aug. 1, unless they “move things along.”
