At 0645 GMT, the rand was 0.15pc weaker at 14.8250 per dollar from an opening level of 14.7930.
U.S. President Donald Trump said overnight that Washington was in the "final throes" of work on a deal to defuse the trade war, after top negotiators from the two countries spoke by telephone on Tuesday.
The comments boosted hopes that the dispute would be resolved by year-end.
The dollar gained and Wall Street's three major indexes hit all-time highs, with emerging market currencies slipping as a result.
Bonds were slightly weaker, with the benchmark government issue due in 2026, adding 0.5 basis point to 8.48pc.