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US presidential trips overseas have traditionally been an chance to showcase the power of the American nation on the world stage. Trump's multi-day swing through eastern Asia, on the other hand, has been a demonstration of the power of the leader – but also, at moments, of that power's limitations.

The president's destinations in Malaysia, Japan and South Korea over the course of the initial days were an display in catering to a sometimes unpredictable American president. It was an recognition that Trump, with the flick of a document, could impose tariffs and further steps that have the potential to devastate the markets of export-dependent nations.

His meeting with Beijing's head Xi on the last day, nevertheless, was a completely different scenario.

It was a session of equals on the international scene, where the consequences for the two powers – for their financial health, for their global standing, for the prosperity of their citizens – were significant.

With China, the US leader may flick his pen, but such actions involve consequences. They come with a price.

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For the initial phase, the president's most recent foray into international relations was smooth sailing.

Each visit was punctuated by a blend of standard economic talks – arrangements made under the shadow of the president's "reciprocal" taxes – and individual concessions that at moments bordered on the subservient.

In the Malaysian stop, the president secured rights to essential resources and made progress toward concluding commercial deals with regional partners. He also presided over a treaty that should ease border tensions between Thailand and Cambodia – the sort of "peace agreement" the American president prefers to tout.

In the Japanese leg, the president's Marine One passed by a landmark tower illuminated red, white and blue – with a peak in golden.

Recently chosen Leader Takaichi detailed $half-trillion in Japan's financial commitments in the United States and offered the American president a present of a quarter-thousand cherry trees for the United States' semiquincentennial, and a sports gear and case that belonged to Shinzo Abe, the assassinated former prime minister who developed ties with the president in his first term.

She also became the most recent international head to propose Trump for his much-desired peace award.

Keeping pace, the Korean government received Trump with guns performing a 21-gun salute and a military band that rendered Hail to the Chief and YMCA – the musical group anthem that has become a presidential event theme.

Leader Lee held an "honour ceremony" for Trump during which he awarded the president his state's top honor and a model of an ancient Korean dynastic crown.

Lunch with the Korean leader featured a "Conciliatory Treat" of gold-covered brownies. Afterward, the hosts offered the president vineyard wine at an intimate dinner in Trump's recognition with six global figures participating in the regional summit conference.

In the US, the president may be the focus of "Anti-Authority" demonstrations by Americans who disapprove of his authority-expanding increases of presidential power, but during his Asian visit he was treated like nobility.

And like the kings of old, Trump visited the Korean nation seeking tribute – in the guise of $two hundred billion in cash payments, $20bn a per year, from South Korea to the United States, to be used at the discretion of the president's government. Approval on the terms of those payments assisted in that the tariff rate on Korean products to the United States would fall from a quarter to under twenty percent.

The main event of Trump's Asian tour came in its last moments, nevertheless, as he encountered the Chinese leader.

At that location, the influence relationship between counterparts of the planet's biggest economic powers was decidedly different than the meetings Trump had with his international peers in prior visits.

Missing were typical pageantry and the display. No armed forces orchestras, no honour guards, no thoughtfully prepared meal plans marking mutual national affection. Rather, the two leaders and their top aides positioned themselves across a extended light-colored negotiating table in a unremarkable armed forces facility just near the airstrip of the city of Busan's international airport.

It was perhaps a reflection of the significant risks that when the president shook hands with the Chinese leader in the southern port, he appeared