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US presidential trips overseas have typically been an opportunity to demonstrate the strength of the US on the global scene. Trump's five-day tour through East Asia, by contrast, has been a demonstration of the authority of the leader – but also, at times, of that power's constraints.

Trump's stops in Malaysia, Japan and Korea over the span of the initial days were an demonstration in satisfying a at times unpredictable US leader. It was an recognition that the leader, with the stroke of a hand, could impose tariffs and further steps that have the capacity to damage the economies of export-oriented nations.

His meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping on the final day, nevertheless, was a completely different scenario.

It was a encounter of counterparts on the global stage, where the consequences for the two powers – for their financial health, for their international prestige, for the well-being of their people – were enormous.

With Beijing, the president may wave his pen, but these moves involve consequences. They come with a toll.

• The US president describes 'amazing' talks with the Chinese leader but no agreement finalized
• Xi and Trump establish brief pause as Beijing adopts strategic patience

For the first four days, Trump's recent entry into international relations was uneventful.

Each visit was punctuated by a blend of standard economic talks – arrangements made under the shadow of the president's "mutual" duties – and special treatment that at moments bordered on the subservient.

In Malaysia, Trump obtained access to essential resources and made headway toward completing trade arrangements with regional partners. He also oversaw a pact that should reduce border tensions between Thailand and Cambodia – the type of "truce" the American president loves to highlight.

In Japan, the president's helicopter flew past a landmark tower lit US flag colors – with a summit in golden.

Newly elected Leader Takaichi detailed $half-trillion in Japanese investments in the United States and gave the president a present of two hundred fifty sakura trees for the United States' semiquincentennial, and a golf equipment and bag that belonged to former Prime Minister Abe, the murdered past head who developed ties with Trump in his previous administration.

She also became the newest overseas counterpart to suggest the president for his long-sought peace award.

Keeping pace, South Korea welcomed Trump with cannons firing a traditional greeting and a armed forces orchestra that rendered the presidential anthem and the Village People song – the musical group tune that has become a political gathering anthem.

Leader the Korean president held an "recognition ritual" for the US leader during which he gave the American leader his nation's premier award and a model of an traditional ruler's coronet.

Midday meal with Lee included a "Conciliatory Treat" of gold-covered chocolate squares. Afterward, the South Koreans provided Trump premium vintage at an private meal in the president's honor with multiple international heads present at the regional summit conference.

In the United States, the president may be the focus of "Anti-Authority" rallies by Americans who reject his limit-pushing increases of presidential power, but during his Asian tour he was treated like nobility.

And like the kings of ancient times, the president came to the Korean nation requesting tribute – in the shape of $200 billion in monetary contributions, $20bn a per year, from the host nation to the United States, to be used at the guidance of Trump's government. Agreement on the terms of those transfers assisted in that the tax percentage on host nation products to the United States would decrease from 25% to fifteen percent.

The primary focus of the president's regional visit came in its concluding phase, nevertheless, as he met with Xi.

There, the influence relationship between heads of the world's two largest economies was decidedly divergent than the meetings Trump had with his international peers in prior visits.

Missing were the usual ceremony and the display. No military bands, absent honour guards, without carefully crafted meal plans honoring bilateral friendship. Instead, the pair of counterparts and their senior advisors sat across a long white discussion surface in a plain service structure just near the airstrip of the city of Busan's international airport.

It was likely a indication of the significant risks that when the president shook hands with Xi in the Korean city, he appeared