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Presidential journeys abroad have historically been an occasion to showcase the power of the American nation on the global scene. The president's multi-day tour through East Asia, on the other hand, has been a display of the power of the leader – but also, at moments, of that influence's constraints.

Trump's stops in Malaysia, Japan and South Korea over the span of the initial days were an display in pleasing a sometimes volatile American president. It was an recognition that Trump, with the signature of a document, could enact duties and other measures that have the potential to damage the economies of export-oriented nations.

His sit-down with China's president Xi on the last day, nevertheless, was a distinct situation.

It was a encounter of equals on the international scene, where the consequences for each country – for their markets, for their global standing, for the prosperity of their populations – were significant.

With China, Trump may use his authority, but these moves come with ramifications. They come with a toll.

• Trump praises 'impressive' encounter with Xi but no pact reached
• Xi and the US leader reach temporary truce as Beijing plays longer game

For the first four days, the president's latest entry into international relations was smooth sailing.

Each visit was punctuated by a mix of traditional trade negotiations – arrangements made under the threat of Trump's "reciprocal" tariffs – and personal accommodations that at times bordered on the subservient.

In the Malaysian stop, Trump secured entry to critical minerals and made advances toward concluding trade arrangements with ASEAN countries. He also led a agreement that should reduce frontier issues between Thailand and Cambodia – the type of "peace agreement" the American president loves to promote.

In Japan, Trump's official aircraft passed by a landmark tower displayed US flag colors – with a peak in gilded.

Newly elected Leader Takaichi described $half-trillion in Tokyo's funding in the United States and offered the American president a gift of 250 cherry trees for the United States' semiquincentennial, and a sports gear and carrier that came from Shinzo Abe, the murdered former prime minister who developed ties with the president in his initial presidency.

She also became the most recent international head to propose the president for his long-sought peace award.

Keeping pace, Korea greeted Trump with artillery discharging a traditional greeting and a military band that played the leader's song and YMCA – the band anthem that has become a Trump rally anthem.

Head Lee held an "award event" for Trump during which he awarded the president his nation's top honor and a copy of an traditional ruler's coronet.

Noon repast with Lee included a "Peacemaker's Dessert" of gold-encrusted brownies. Subsequently, the South Koreans offered Trump premium vintage at an intimate dinner in the president's honour with half-dozen world leaders participating in the regional summit conference.

In the United States, Trump may be the focus of "Anti-Authority" demonstrations by US citizens who oppose his authority-expanding expansions of presidential power, but during his regional tour he was received as nobility.

And like the rulers of ancient times, Trump arrived in Korea requesting tribute – in the form of $200bn in cash payments, $twenty billion a year, from Korea to the America, to be used at the guidance of the president's government. Consent on the terms of those payments assisted in that the duty level on host nation goods to the United States would decrease from twenty-five percent to under twenty percent.

The central moment of the president's Asian tour took place in its last moments, nevertheless, as he met with the Chinese leader.

In that setting, the authority balance between leaders of the global top two markets was decidedly different than the exchanges Trump had with his foreign counterparts in previous days.

Absent were typical pomp and the pageantry. No military bands, no honour guards, no thoughtfully prepared meal plans marking shared goodwill. Rather, the both heads and their key staff positioned themselves across a long white discussion surface in a plain armed forces facility just adjacent to the landing strip of the southern port's global terminal.

It was possibly a indication of the major consequences that when Trump made contact with Xi in Busan, he seemed