US international policy under the current administration has been a wildly chaotic and unpredictable affair at best. With US President Donald Trump often taking impulsive decisions, the US’s trade partners have had to be constantly on their toes when it comes to knowing what to expect. India, too, is now facing its share of the same uncertainty, following a week of wildly fluctuating signals from American officials. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and President Trump have given widely conflicting signals this week on the US’s stance regarding trade relations with India. While the former has tried to assuage concerns and establish a cordial tone on his three-day visit to India this week, President Trump has adopted a combative tone, labeling India’s retaliatory tariffs following the US withdrawal of GSP benefits as “unacceptable”, ahead of the G20 Summit in Osaka, Japan this weekend. Unfortunately, there is no avoiding dealing with the mercurial US administration, as Indo-US trade is a key component of India’s international policy. So deciphering the American conundrum will be a key challenge for Indian policymakers, particularly given the Budget looming around the corner. Indian exporters can only hope that this resolution will happen sooner rather than later.