WASHINGTON — The U.S. goods trade deficit with Japan totaled $67.63 billion in 2018, the fourth-largest among countries with which the United States generated a trade deficit, government data showed Wednesday.

The deficit with China totaled $419.16 billion, the highest level on record. It was followed by $81.52 billion with Mexico and $68.25 billion with Germany, the Commerce Department said.

Globally, the U.S. goods trade deficit widened 10.4 percent on year to a record $878.70 billion.

While the U.S. deficit with China expanded 11.6 percent, that with Japan shrank 1.8 percent.

Tokyo was the third-biggest deficit generator for Washington in 2017.

President Donald Trump’s administration, currently engaging in a tariff war with China, intends to start trade negotiations with Japan as early as in March, aiming to further open the country’s agriculture and automobile markets.

Trump has pledged to reduce U.S. trade deficits with major trading partners, including China and Japan, in line with his “America First” mantra.