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American leader visits abroad have historically been an chance to showcase the power of the US on the world stage. The president's multi-day tour through eastern Asia, conversely, has been a display of the power of the president – but also, at times, of that influence's constraints.

The president's destinations in Malaysia, Japan and Korea over the span of the first four days were an exercise in pleasing a occasionally volatile American president. It was an recognition that Trump, with the stroke of a document, could introduce duties and additional actions that have the capacity to devastate the markets of trade-reliant nations.

His sit-down with Chinese leader Xi on Thursday, however, was a distinct situation.

It was a encounter of equals on the global stage, where the risks for both nations – for their markets, for their global standing, for the welfare of their populations – were enormous.

With Beijing, Trump may flick his authority, but such actions involve repercussions. They carry a price.

• Trump describes 'impressive' encounter with Xi but no agreement reached
• Xi and Trump establish short-term ceasefire as Beijing adopts strategic patience

For the initial phase, the president's most recent entry into international relations was uneventful.

Each destination was characterized by a combination of standard economic talks – arrangements made under the pressure of the president's "reciprocal" tariffs – and personal accommodations that at times bordered on the subservient.

In the Malaysian stop, the president secured rights to essential resources and made progress toward finalizing commercial deals with south-east Asian nations. He also presided over a agreement that should alleviate territorial disputes between Thailand and Cambodia – the kind of "peace agreement" the US leader loves to tout.

In Japan, Trump's Marine One passed by a Tokyo Tower displayed US flag colors – with a summit in gilded.

Newly elected Prime Minister Sanai Takaichi described $550 billion in Japan's financial commitments in the America and offered the US leader a gift of 250 sakura trees for America's semiquincentennial, and a golf equipment and case that belonged to former Prime Minister Abe, the killed former prime minister who connected with Trump in his initial presidency.

She also became the newest foreign leader to suggest Trump for his long-sought peace award.

Not to be outdone, South Korea welcomed Trump with artillery performing a honor salute and a service ensemble that performed Hail to the Chief and the classic tune – the Village People song that has turned into a political gathering standard.

Head Lee held an "award event" for the US leader during which he awarded the president his country's premier award and a copy of an traditional ruler's coronet.

Midday meal with the Korean leader included a "Diplomat's Sweet" of gold-encrusted baked goods. Subsequently, the South Koreans served Trump fine beverage at an exclusive gathering in Trump's honor with half-dozen global figures attending the regional summit summit.

In the America, Trump may be the target of "No Kings" rallies by the public who disapprove of his boundary-testing increases of leader's control, but during his Asian swing he was handled as monarchy.

And like the kings of ancient times, the president came to South Korea demanding tribute – in the shape of $200bn in monetary contributions, $20 billion a year, from South Korea to the US, to be allocated at the discretion of the president's administration. Consent on the conditions of those contributions contributed to that the tax percentage on Korean products to the US would decrease from a quarter to fifteen percent.

The primary focus of the president's regional visit occurred in its concluding phase, though, as he met with the Chinese leader.

At that location, the influence relationship between counterparts of the global top two markets was noticeably different than the interactions Trump had with his foreign counterparts in previous days.

Missing were typical pageantry and the spectacle. Without any service ensembles, without protocol units, missing thoughtfully prepared dining selections marking mutual national affection. Instead, the both heads and their top aides sat across a extended light-colored meeting furniture in a unremarkable military building just near the airstrip of Busan's air transport hub.

It was possibly a indication of the significant risks that when Trump made contact with the Chinese leader in the Korean city, he looked