Japan has recorded a trade deficit of 2.76 trillion yen, or $18 billion, in January, as worries continue to grow about impending tariffs from the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump

Japan's exports rose for a fourth consecutive month in January led by auto shipments to the U.S., data showed on Wednesday, though economists said President Donald Trump's threat of hefty tariffs on car imports could hurt future shipments.

Japan’s longstanding trade surplus with the U.S. continues to risk the ire of Trump, who favors using levies to close trade gaps with other nations. Japan’s trade surplus with the U.S. was ¥477 billion in January. Auto exports to the U.S. surged 21.8% in the month.