The businessman–turned Commander-in-Chief, Donald Trump, has not yet reached 100 days in office, so his retreat from hardline stances towards certain foreign nations and issues could be interpreted as a sign of flexibility and learning on the job. Or, on the other hand, his sudden flip-flop on America’s relationship with major players on the world stage could indicate that US foreign policy under this administration is confused and impressionable. Of course, the impulsive and unpredictable President may just be pursuing his “keep them guessing” strategy to perfection.

On the campaign trail, Trump talked tough about China, labeling them as currency manipulators who took advantage of trade with the US After a recent meeting with Chinese leadership though President Trump has softened his stance towards Beijing and embraced a transactional relationship. In an interview with The Wall Street Journal this week, Trump flatly declared in regards to China “they’re not currency manipulators”. He also reportedly now seeks Chinese assistance with North Korea and may welcome Chinese economic investments in key battleground States in the US that he won during the 2016 presidential election.

The President’s order to launch a barrage of missiles on a target in Syria late last week also signaled a potential change in his previous promise for the US not to intervene further in the Middle East. A Pew Research Center survey conducted after the attack found that 58 % of Americans approved of the missile strikes, but 61 % said they do not believe President Trump has a clear plan for the situation in Syria. The President may very well not have had a bigger plan for the Syrian conflict as the unilateral action he authorized vanquished hopes of a reset of relations with Russia and, on the domestic front, upset his “America First” voter base to whom he vowed an end to costly overseas military operations.

Another stark turnaround on foreign policy occurred when NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg visited President Trump at the White House this week. At a press conference with the head of the 28-members trans-Atlantic alliance the US President reversed his attitude and declared: “I said it was obsolete. It’s no longer obsolete.” This volte-face occurred although very little has actually changed with NATO since Trump took office. Considering the fact that Trump is the first president ever elected without political or military experience, he may have changed his opinion of the international alliance after being educated about its importance by heads of foreign member nations.

Finally, Trump’s reversal on Russia this week came as U.S. media and politicians continue to discuss possible ties between his administration and Moscow. Following Bashar al-Assad’s chemical attack and the visit to Washington by the NATO chief, Trump criticized Russia for supporting rogue nations and stated in an interview that U.S.-Russia relations have reached at an “all-time low.”

At a joint press conference with NATO Sec. Gen. Stoltenberg Trump even said “I don’t know Putin,” a clear break from his previously warm, or at least neutral, remarks about the Russian leader. Of course, Trump’s reversal on Russia may be intended to throw off domestic political opponents in search of his links to Putin, or they could be a heartfelt shift to embrace traditional American allies and rebuke old adversaries.

The ability to change one’s opinions in the face of new information is a positive sign. Trump’s recent flip-flops though leave observers to ponder whether his changes in actions and opinion were quick and convenient solutions to problems, or if they signify real shifts in his approach to, and understanding of, international relations.