China expanded the scope of consumer trade-ins for home appliances and will give more subsidies for digital purchases this year, in efforts to revive sluggish domestic demand, an official policy document showed on Wednesday.

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.

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 has expanded a programme to subsidise consumers who trade in old appliances such as air conditioners and washing machines as policymakers strive to counter weak consumption in the world’s second-largest economy.