The US urged South Africa to improve its trade offer as Pretoria waits to hear what tariff US President Donald Trump will impose on its exports to the world’s largest economy.

South Africa hopes to negotiate a lower levy than the 30% already allocated by Trump, with a deadline to strike a deal by Friday.

Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau said US officials weren’t sure themselves what the president would decide and had encouraged South African officials to submit an enhanced proposal.

“Even they are unable to confirm what the announcement would be,” Tau told Johannesburg-based broadcaster 702 on Thursday.

The US is South Africa’s second-largest trading partner after China and tariffs of 30% would hit its automobile and farming industries hard, dealing a blow to an already-feeble economy where the unemployment rate is one of the highest in the world.