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US presidential trips internationally have traditionally been an opportunity to display the strength of the US on the world stage. Trump's multi-day swing through East Asia, by contrast, has been a display of the clout of the president – but also, at times, of that authority's boundaries.

Trump's stops in Malaysia, Japan and South Korea over the course of the first four days were an demonstration in pleasing a at times volatile president. It was an recognition that Trump, with the stroke of a hand, could introduce duties and other measures that have the ability to damage the markets of export-oriented countries.

His discussion with China's president Xi on the last day, nevertheless, was a completely different scenario.

It was a session of peers on the international scene, where the consequences for both nations – for their economies, for their world reputation, for the well-being of their populations – were immense.

With the Chinese, the president may wave his authority, but such actions entail repercussions. They involve a cost.

• The US president hails 'impressive' encounter with the Chinese leader but no agreement finalized
• Xi and the US leader establish short-term ceasefire as China plays longer game

For the initial phase, the president's most recent venture into international relations was successful.

Each visit was characterized by a blend of traditional commercial discussions – arrangements made under the threat of the president's "equivalent" taxes – and individual concessions that at points verged on the deferential.

In the Malaysian stop, Trump secured access to key materials and made headway toward completing trade arrangements with ASEAN countries. He also led a agreement that should reduce territorial disputes between Thailand and Cambodia – the type of "peace agreement" the US leader prefers to tout.

In the Japanese leg, Trump's official aircraft soared near a Tokyo Tower displayed American colors – with a top in golden.

Newly elected Head Sanai Takaichi detailed $550 billion in Japan's financial commitments in the US and gave the American president a offering of two hundred fifty sakura trees for the United States' 250th anniversary, and a sports gear and carrier that came from Shinzo Abe, the murdered ex-leader who bonded with Trump in his first term.

She also became the most recent overseas counterpart to suggest Trump for his long-sought peace award.

Not to be outdone, South Korea greeted Trump with guns performing a 21-gun salute and a armed forces orchestra that performed Hail to the Chief and YMCA – the musical group tune that has evolved into a Trump rally standard.

Leader the Korean president held an "recognition ritual" for Trump during which he presented the president his country's highest medal and a replica of an traditional ruler's coronet.

Noon repast with the Korean leader featured a "Diplomat's Sweet" of gilded brownies. Later that day, the hosts provided the president vineyard wine at an exclusive gathering in Trump's recognition with six international heads present at the Asia-Pacific Economic Conference conference.

In the United States, Trump may be the target of "Anti-Monarchy" rallies by US citizens who disapprove of his boundary-testing extensions of leader's control, but during his Asian visit he was handled as nobility.

And like the monarchs of old, the president arrived in the Korean nation requesting tribute – in the shape of $200 billion in monetary contributions, $twenty billion a annually, from South Korea to the US, to be used at the direction of the president's leadership. Approval on the conditions of those contributions helped ensure that the duty level on South Korean goods to the America would fall from 25% to under twenty percent.

The central moment of Trump's Asian tour occurred in its concluding phase, though, as he met with the Chinese leader.

At that location, the authority balance between leaders of the world's two largest economies was noticeably different than the interactions Trump had with his international peers in earlier stops.

Absent were the usual pomp and the pageantry. Lacking military bands, absent honour guards, without thoughtfully prepared meal plans marking mutual national affection. Instead, the pair of counterparts and their senior advisors were seated across a extended light-colored negotiating table in a unremarkable service structure just adjacent to the landing strip of the city of Busan's global terminal.

It was possibly a indication of the significant risks that when the president shook hands with Xi in the southern port, he seemed