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American leader visits overseas have typically been an opportunity to display the power of the United States on the global scene. The president's week-long trip through eastern Asia, by contrast, has been a display of the authority of Trump – but also, at times, of that influence's boundaries.

The president's destinations in Malaysia, Japan and South Korea over the course of the first four days were an display in catering to a sometimes volatile president. It was an recognition that Trump, with the signature of a document, could impose tariffs and other measures that have the potential to damage the financial systems of export-oriented countries.

His sit-down with Beijing's head Xi Jinping on the last day, nevertheless, was a distinct situation.

It was a session of peers on the global stage, where the stakes for both nations – for their economies, for their world reputation, for the well-being of their people – were significant.

With China, Trump may use his authority, but such actions come with consequences. They involve a price.

• The US president describes 'amazing' meeting with Xi but no pact reached
• Xi and the US leader find short-term ceasefire as China adopts strategic patience

For the opening segment, the president's most recent entry into global diplomacy was uneventful.

Each visit was marked by a mix of traditional economic talks – deals made under the shadow of the president's "reciprocal" duties – and individual concessions that at points approached the subservient.

In Malaysia, Trump obtained rights to critical minerals and made headway toward finalizing trade arrangements with ASEAN countries. He also oversaw a agreement that should alleviate border tensions between Thailand and Cambodia – the type of "truce" the president prefers to promote.

In the Japanese leg, Trump's helicopter soared near a Tokyo Tower illuminated US flag colors – with a peak in golden.

Newly elected Leader the Japanese leader described $half-trillion in Japan's financial commitments in the US and offered the American president a gift of 250 cherry trees for America's semiquincentennial, and a golf equipment and case that belonged to former Prime Minister Abe, the killed ex-leader who developed ties with the president in his first term.

She also became the most recent overseas counterpart to propose the president for his highly-coveted peace award.

Keeping pace, South Korea received Trump with guns performing a honor salute and a armed forces orchestra that played the leader's song and the Village People song – the Village People tune that has evolved into a presidential event theme.

Leader the Korean president held an "honour ceremony" for Trump during which he gave the president his nation's premier award and a replica of an ancient Korean dynastic crown.

Midday meal with Lee included a "Conciliatory Treat" of gilded chocolate squares. Afterward, the Koreans provided Trump premium vintage at an intimate dinner in the president's honor with half-dozen world leaders present at the Asia-Pacific Economic Conference meeting.

In the United States, Trump may be the subject of "Anti-Monarchy" protests by Americans who oppose his limit-pushing extensions of leader's control, but during his Asian swing he was handled as nobility.

And like the rulers of old, the president visited Korea demanding tribute – in the guise of $two hundred billion in monetary contributions, $twenty billion a year, from the host nation to the United States, to be allocated at the direction of Trump's administration. Agreement on the details of those contributions contributed to that the duty level on Korean goods to the America would decrease from twenty-five percent to fifteen percent.

The primary focus of Trump's Asia trip came in its last moments, however, as he sat down with the Chinese leader.

At that location, the power dynamic between leaders of the world's two largest economies was decidedly distinct than the meetings Trump had with his overseas colleagues in previous days.

Absent were all the pageantry and the spectacle. Lacking military bands, no protocol units, no meticulously designed meal plans celebrating mutual national affection. Rather, the two leaders and their top aides positioned themselves across a long white discussion surface in a plain military building just off the runway of Busan's international airport.

It was possibly a reflection of the high stakes that when the president shook hands with the Chinese leader in the southern port, he seemed