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US presidential trips overseas have traditionally been an occasion to demonstrate the influence of the American nation on the world stage. Donald Trump's week-long swing through eastern Asia, conversely, has been a show of the power of the president – but also, at moments, of that influence's constraints.

Trump's visits in Malaysia, Japan and South Korea over the span of the first four days were an display in pleasing a at times volatile American president. It was an recognition that Trump, with the stroke of a hand, could introduce tariffs and further steps that have the potential to devastate the financial systems of trade-reliant states.

His sit-down with Chinese leader Xi Jinping on the final day, however, was something entirely different.

It was a session of equals on the international scene, where the stakes for each country – for their financial health, for their global standing, for the welfare of their people – were significant.

With Beijing, Trump may wave his authority, but those steps come with consequences. They carry a price.

• Trump praises 'amazing' encounter with the Chinese leader but no agreement agreed
• Xi and Trump establish short-term ceasefire as China adopts strategic patience

For the opening segment, Trump's latest foray into international relations was smooth sailing.

Each visit was characterized by a blend of standard economic talks – agreements made under the pressure of Trump's "equivalent" taxes – and special treatment that at points approached the obsequious.

In the Malaysian stop, Trump gained access to key materials and made progress toward completing trade arrangements with regional partners. He also oversaw a agreement that should alleviate border tensions between Thailand and Cambodia – the kind of "truce" the president enjoys to highlight.

In Japan, the president's official aircraft passed by a Tokyo Tower lit American colors – with a top in Trumpian gold.

Recently chosen Prime Minister the Japanese leader outlined $550 billion in Tokyo's funding in the America and offered the US leader a gift of a quarter-thousand sakura trees for America's 250th anniversary, and a golf club and case that came from former Prime Minister Abe, the killed past head who bonded with Trump in his previous administration.

She also became the newest foreign leader to nominate the president for his highly-coveted Nobel Peace Prize.

Matching the effort, Korea received the president with cannons discharging a 21-gun salute and a military band that performed Hail to the Chief and the Village People song – the musical group tune that has become a Trump rally anthem.

Leader Lee Jae Myung held an "recognition ritual" for the US leader during which he presented the US president his nation's top honor and a copy of an historical royal headpiece.

Lunch with the Korean leader contained a "Diplomat's Sweet" of gilded chocolate squares. Subsequently, the Koreans provided the president vineyard wine at an exclusive gathering in Trump's recognition with half-dozen international heads present at the regional summit summit.

In the US, Trump may be the subject of "No Kings" demonstrations by US citizens who reject his limit-pushing extensions of presidential power, but during his regional tour he was treated like nobility.

And like the monarchs of old, Trump came to the Korean nation demanding contribution – in the shape of $200bn in financial transfers, $20bn a annually, from the host nation to the United States, to be invested at the discretion of Trump's government. Consent on the details of those contributions contributed to that the duty level on Korean goods to the US would decrease from 25% to under twenty percent.

The primary focus of the president's regional visit took place in its last moments, nevertheless, as he met with Xi.

There, the influence relationship between heads of the planet's biggest economic powers was noticeably distinct than the exchanges the president had with his overseas colleagues in earlier stops.

Not present were typical pomp and the pageantry. Lacking military bands, absent protocol units, without meticulously designed dining selections honoring bilateral friendship. By contrast, the pair of counterparts and their key staff sat across a extended light-colored negotiating table in a plain military building just near the airstrip of Busan's global terminal.

It was likely a reflection of the significant risks that when the president made contact with the Chinese leader in the southern port, he seemed