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American leader visits overseas have traditionally been an occasion to demonstrate the influence of the American nation on the global scene. Trump's five-day tour through East Asia, by contrast, has been a show of the authority of Trump – but also, at moments, of that power's limitations.

The president's stops in Malaysia, Japan and South Korea over the course of the initial days were an display in pleasing a occasionally unpredictable American president. It was an recognition that the president, with the stroke of a document, could impose duties and further steps that have the ability to harm the markets of export-oriented states.

His meeting with Chinese leader Xi on the final day, nevertheless, was a distinct situation.

It was a meeting of equals on the international scene, where the stakes for the two powers – for their markets, for their global standing, for the prosperity of their people – were enormous.

With China, Trump may wave his power, but such actions come with repercussions. They come with a price.

• The US president praises 'remarkable' talks with the Chinese leader but no pact finalized
• Xi and Trump find temporary truce as China plays longer game

For the initial phase, Trump's most recent foray into international relations was successful.

Each destination was marked by a mix of conventional trade negotiations – deals made under the threat of Trump's "mutual" taxes – and personal accommodations that at moments bordered on the deferential.

In Malaysia, Trump secured rights to essential resources and made progress toward concluding economic agreements with south-east Asian nations. He also presided over a treaty that should alleviate frontier issues between Thailand and Cambodia – the kind of "truce" the American president prefers to tout.

In the Japanese leg, the president's helicopter soared near a Tokyo Tower lit American colors – with a top in gilded.

Recently chosen Head Takaichi described $550bn in Japanese investments in the US and presented the president a present of a quarter-thousand flowering trees for the United States' 250th birthday, and a sports gear and carrier that belonged to former Prime Minister Abe, the killed ex-leader who bonded with the president in his previous administration.

She also became the latest foreign leader to propose Trump for his much-desired Nobel Peace Prize.

Not to be outdone, the Korean government greeted Trump with cannons discharging a honor salute and a armed forces orchestra that played the leader's song and the classic tune – the musical group anthem that has evolved into a political gathering anthem.

President Lee Jae Myung held an "award event" for the US leader during which he gave the president his nation's top honor and a replica of an historical royal headpiece.

Lunch with the Korean leader included a "Diplomat's Sweet" of gold-encrusted baked goods. Afterward, the South Koreans offered the president fine beverage at an exclusive gathering in Trump's recognition with multiple international heads participating in the regional summit summit.

In the America, Trump may be the subject of "Anti-Monarchy" rallies by the public who oppose his authority-expanding extensions of presidential power, but during his East Asia swing he was handled as monarchy.

And like the rulers of history, the president came to South Korea demanding contribution – in the guise of $200bn in monetary contributions, $20bn a per year, from South Korea to the America, to be allocated at the guidance of Trump's leadership. Approval on the details of those payments assisted in that the duty level on Korean exports to the America would fall from a quarter to 15%.

The primary focus of Trump's Asian tour came in its last moments, though, as he met with the Chinese leader.

At that location, the power dynamic between leaders of the planet's biggest economic powers was noticeably different than the meetings Trump had with his overseas colleagues in prior visits.

Absent were the usual ceremony and the spectacle. No armed forces orchestras, absent protocol units, without carefully crafted menus honoring bilateral friendship. By contrast, the two leaders and their key staff sat across a long white meeting furniture in a nondescript service structure just near the airstrip of the southern port's global terminal.

It was likely a indication of the major consequences that when Trump shook hands with Xi in Busan, he appeared