BEIJING—China’s trade imbalance with the U.S. worsened sharply in the first three months of the year, potentially adding fuel to the countries’ already heated trade dispute.

China’s trade surplus with the U.S. reached $58.25 billion in the first quarter, up 19.4% compared with the same period a year ago, official data released Friday showed. The rise in the surplus with the U.S. contrasted with China’s overall trade surplus, which decreased nearly 20% from a year ago to $48.39 billion in the first quarter.

Chinese...