Please come down.

"Chief Economic Advisor (CEA) V Anantha Nageswaran said...that the impact of fresh US tariffs on India would have a mixed effect, with potential job losses largely restricted to export-oriented industries heavily reliant on the American market." "Nageswaran noted that India's strong domestic demand, bolstered by a good monsoon and rising rural consumption would cushion the impact of tariffs. He added that any job losses that might occur are unlikely to be significant." BT. In 2024, India exported goods worth $87.3 billion to the US while importing $41.5 billion worth from the US, for a goods trade surplus of $45.billion. ustr,gov. In the same year, China exported goods worth $438.7 billion to the US, while importing $143.2 billion worth, for a surplus of $295.5 billion." ustr.gov. Which means, as our exports are so insignificant our job losses are likely to be equally insignificant, so as to be absorbed by increased spending by the rural population, 83.2 million of whom were granted employment under the Mahatma Gandhi Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) in FY 2023-24, down from 87.5 million in FY 23. BS. MGNREGA is a social welfare scheme for the rural unemployed to provide a cushion against loss of income. wikipedia. "In Surat, where more than 80% of the world's rough diamonds are cut and polished, orders have started drying up," and "some big players plan to shift part of their operations to countries like Botswana, which faces a lower 15% US tariff." Around "150,000 to 200,000 workers could lose their jobs." Reuters. This is highly specialized work so these workers are unlikely to find suitable alternative employment. "India's IT sector is shedding jobs," as artificial intelligence makes thousands of jobs redundant. "The IT industry contributed roughly 7.5% to India's gross domestic product in fiscal year 2023, with over 5 million people directly employed in the sector." CNBC. "According to a layoff tracker called Layoffs.Fyi, 152,922 workers from 551 tech companies have been laid off in 2024." ET. Even worse, unemployment among the educated youth is much higher than among the illiterate. TOI. "Most Indian economists are reluctant to retaliate against Trump's tariffs as China did." "By contrast, most Indian foreign policy experts want to stay tough and not give an inch." But, "We must stay tough." "A country perceived to be weak will be subjected to ever more pressure," wrote Swaminathan Aiyar. In short, tell Trump to 'shove off'. Excellent advice but Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in China attempting to increase trade (BBC) with that enemy nation. "India is making a bad bet on China, and it will not end well," argued Prof Sumit Ganguly. A view supported by geopolitical expert Brahma Chellaney who argued that "while Modi might seek a diplomatic thaw with China, the risk of China exploiting any signs of Indian weakness should not be overlooked." BT. Of course, the biggest risk is that the US is far and will never attack India militarily but the barbaric Chinese have repeatedly attacked India and their nauseating friends Pakistan and Bangladesh may join in. It may be no big deal for experts, but it is for Indians who have lost jobs during the festival season and for our national security. Ivory tower  obscures vision. They need to descend to our level.