Washington: President Donald Trump on Sunday called elephant hunting a "horror show" and strongly suggested he will permanently block imports of elephant trophies from two African nations despite his administration's earlier approval of the plan.

Following strong bipartisan criticism of the administration's decision to allow imports of trophy carcasses for the first time since the practice was halted under the Obama administration, Trump moved on Friday to put the imports on hold.

On Sunday, Trump said on Twitter that he would announce a final decision this week.

He suggested that he does not buy the argument advanced by pro-hunting advocates within his Interior Department that the imports help protect endangered African elephants.