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American leader visits overseas have typically been an opportunity to display the influence of the US on the global scene. Donald Trump's five-day trip through eastern Asia, conversely, has been a demonstration of the power of the leader – but also, at moments, of that power's limitations.

Trump's destinations in Malaysia, Japan and Korea over the course of the first four days were an exercise in satisfying a at times unpredictable American president. It was an admission that Trump, with the signature of a pen, could introduce duties and additional actions that have the ability to damage the markets of trade-reliant states.

His sit-down with Beijing's head Xi Jinping on the last day, however, was something entirely different.

It was a session of counterparts on the global stage, where the consequences for each country – for their economies, for their global standing, for the prosperity of their citizens – were enormous.

With the Chinese, the US leader may use his authority, but such actions entail ramifications. They involve a price.

• Trump describes 'remarkable' encounter with Xi but no trade deal finalized
• Xi and the US leader reach temporary truce as China plays longer game

For the first four days, the president's most recent entry into international relations was smooth sailing.

Each visit was punctuated by a blend of traditional trade negotiations – arrangements made under the threat of the president's "mutual" duties – and personal accommodations that at points verged on the deferential.

In the Malaysian stop, Trump obtained entry to critical minerals and made progress toward completing economic agreements with south-east Asian nations. He also led a agreement that should ease territorial disputes between Thailand and Cambodia – the type of "truce" the American president enjoys to highlight.

In the Japanese leg, Trump's helicopter flew past a Tokyo Tower displayed US flag colors – with a top in gilded.

Recently chosen Leader the Japanese leader described $550bn in Tokyo's funding in the America and presented the American president a offering of 250 flowering trees for the United States' 250th birthday, and a golf equipment and carrier that belonged to the late leader, the killed former prime minister who bonded with the president in his first term.

She also became the newest international head to propose the president for his long-sought international honor.

Keeping pace, South Korea greeted the president with cannons discharging a 21-gun salute and a military band that rendered Hail to the Chief and the classic tune – the band tune that has become a Trump rally anthem.

President Lee held an "honour ceremony" for the US leader during which he presented the US president his country's highest medal and a copy of an traditional ruler's coronet.

Lunch with Lee included a "Conciliatory Treat" of gold-covered chocolate squares. Later that day, the hosts provided Trump fine beverage at an private meal in the president's honor with six international heads participating in the APEC meeting.

In the US, Trump may be the target of "No Kings" protests by Americans who oppose his authority-expanding increases of presidential power, but during his East Asia swing he was treated like monarchy.

And like the kings of history, Trump came to South Korea demanding tribute – in the guise of $200 billion in cash payments, $20 billion a per year, from Korea to the America, to be invested at the direction of the president's government. Agreement on the details of those contributions assisted in that the tariff rate on Korean products to the US would fall from twenty-five percent to fifteen percent.

The primary focus of Trump's regional visit came in its concluding phase, however, as he encountered Xi.

At that location, the power dynamic between heads of the world's two largest economies was markedly divergent than the interactions the president had with his foreign counterparts in previous days.

Absent were the usual pageantry and the spectacle. Without any armed forces orchestras, no ceremonial troops, missing thoughtfully prepared dining selections honoring mutual national affection. By contrast, the pair of counterparts and their key staff sat across a large pale meeting furniture in a unremarkable service structure just off the runway of Busan's global terminal.

It was possibly a indication of the high stakes that when Trump exchanged greetings with the Chinese leader in Busan, he appeared