The South African rand weakened against a stronger dollar in early trade on Wednesday, ahead of the release of a domestic inflation expectations survey, while US jobs data and trade negotiations remained in focus.

At 0630 GMT the rand traded at 17.6250 against the dollar, about 0.2% weaker than Tuesday's close.

South Africa's Bureau for Economic Research will release its second-quarter inflation expectations survey around 0800 GMT, showing how analysts, business people and trade union officials expect inflation to develop over the next three years.

Inflation expectations are an important data point for the central bank when it takes interest rate decisions. Its next decision is due to be announced later this month.

The dollar last traded about 0.2% stronger against a basket of currencies as investors awaited US ADP employment data, due later in the day, and nonfarm payroll figures on Thursday for further insights into labour market conditions.

Meanwhile, with the July 9 tariff day creeping closer, countries including South Africa are scrambling to agree trade deals with the US

Trump imposed a 31% tax on US imports from South Africa in April as part of his global "reciprocal" tariffs.

The Southern African country has asked for more time to negotiate a trade deal before the deadline.

South Africa's benchmark 2035 government bond was marginally stronger in early deals, as the yield fell 1.5 basis points to 9.84%.