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US presidential trips internationally have historically been an occasion to showcase the strength of the US on the global scene. The president's multi-day tour through eastern Asia, on the other hand, has been a demonstration of the power of the president – but also, at moments, of that authority's boundaries.

The president's stops in Malaysia, Japan and Korea over the span of the initial days were an display in satisfying a at times unpredictable American president. It was an admission that the president, with the flick of a hand, could impose taxes and additional actions that have the ability to damage the financial systems of export-dependent countries.

His discussion with Beijing's head Xi Jinping on the last day, however, was a completely different scenario.

It was a session of equals on the global stage, where the risks for both nations – for their financial health, for their world reputation, for the prosperity of their people – were immense.

With the Chinese, Trump may use his authority, but these moves involve consequences. They come with a price.

• The US president describes 'impressive' encounter with the Chinese leader but no agreement finalized
• Xi and the US leader reach short-term ceasefire as China pursues extended strategy

For the first four days, the president's latest venture into global diplomacy was uneventful.

Each destination was marked by a mix of standard commercial discussions – agreements made under the pressure of the president's "mutual" tariffs – and personal accommodations that at moments bordered on the deferential.

In Malaysia, Trump secured access to essential resources and made progress toward completing commercial deals with regional partners. He also presided over a agreement that should ease territorial disputes between Thailand and Cambodia – the sort of "peace agreement" the American president loves to highlight.

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

Freshly appointed Head Takaichi outlined $550bn in Tokyo's funding in the United States and gave the president a gift of 250 cherry trees for the United States' semiquincentennial, and a sports gear and case that belonged to Shinzo Abe, the killed ex-leader who connected with the president in his first term.

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

Matching the effort, Korea welcomed Trump with guns discharging a traditional greeting and a armed forces orchestra that performed Hail to the Chief and the Village People song – the Village People song that has turned into a Trump rally standard.

President Lee Jae Myung held an "recognition ritual" for the US leader during which he presented the American leader his country's highest medal and a model of an historical royal headpiece.

Noon repast with the Korean leader included a "Conciliatory Treat" of gilded chocolate squares. Later that day, the hosts served the president vineyard wine at an exclusive gathering in the president's recognition with multiple international heads present at the Asia-Pacific Economic Conference conference.

In the United States, the president may be the focus of "Anti-Authority" protests by Americans who oppose his boundary-testing increases of presidential power, but during his East Asia visit he was handled as monarchy.

And like the monarchs of old, the president came to Korea requesting tribute – in the shape of $two hundred billion in cash payments, $twenty billion a annually, from the host nation to the America, to be used at the guidance of Trump's government. Approval on the details of those contributions assisted in that the duty level on Korean exports to the United States would drop from twenty-five percent to 15%.

The central moment of Trump's regional visit came in its final hours, nevertheless, as he encountered Xi.

At that location, the authority balance between heads of the global top two markets was decidedly distinct than the interactions the president had with his overseas colleagues in prior visits.

Not present were all the pomp and the spectacle. Without any armed forces orchestras, absent honour guards, missing thoughtfully prepared menus celebrating bilateral friendship. By contrast, the both heads and their top aides were seated across a large pale negotiating table in a nondescript service structure just off the runway of the southern port's global terminal.

It was likely a indication of the significant risks that when the president shook hands with the Chinese leader in the Korean city, he looked