Trump talks trade with S. African leader

US President Donald Trump and his South African counterpart, Jacob Zuma, have spoken about improving trade ties.

US President Donald Trump and his South African counterpart have spoken about improving trade ties. (AAP)

US President Donald Trump has spoken with South African President Jacob Zuma about trade ties and stability in Africa.

Zuma's office said in a statement that the two leaders talked on the telephone on Monday afternoon, reaffirming their commitment to building the "already strong" relationship between their nations.

Zuma's office says there are 600 American companies operating in South Africa and strong US-South African trade ties.

It says the two leaders discussed working together on multilateral issues as well as "the quest for peace and stability on the African continent".