China added more home appliances to the list of products that can be used in its consumer trade-in scheme and will offer subsidies for additional digital goods this year, in an effort to revive demand in the sluggish household sector.

HONG KONG -- China on Wednesday said it will expand subsidies to spur sluggish consumer spending, as Beijing seeks to cushion possible blows from higher U.S. tariffs this year.

The move comes as Beijing intensifies efforts to convince cautious households to spend as rising external uncertainties threaten exports’ ability to prop up economic growth.

China will expand the scope of home appliance trade-ins this year to 12 categories from the eight included last year, the vice head of the country's state planner said on Wednesday. Consumers will get subsidies equivalent to 20% of the sales price per one new home appliance this year,

China will subsidize more consumer products and boost funding for industrial equipment upgrades, ramping up a program aimed at bolstering domestic consumption in the face of growing headwinds for exports.