How India's jewellers could miss an opportunity thrown up by the trade war

India's gem and jewellery exports fell 11.2 per cent to $2.7 billion in July compared to a year ago

India may fail to capitalise on the opportunity created by US President Donald Trump's decision to impose 10 per cent import duty on Chinese jewellery. The fresh tariff covers rough and polished diamonds, and jewellery made from precious or semi-precious stones. China's exports to the US in this space amounts to about $2 billion a year. 

The reason Indian jewellers are finding it difficult to make the most of this opportunity is that competing countries like Thailand and Vietnam are offering much friendlier business policies, while the Indian jewellery industry is facing several roadblocks. If the government doesn’t rise to