South African trade officials have held talks with their U.S. counterparts in Washington, reports said Friday as Africa's largest economy looks to repair strained relations and negotiate the lifting of heavy tariffs imposed by the United States.

South Africa's department of trade, industry and competition said the country's Trade Minister Parks Tau and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer held "cordial and constructive" talks following three days of intense discussions by senior officials from both countries.