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American leader visits internationally have typically been an occasion to display the influence of the US on the global scene. Donald Trump's week-long tour through eastern Asia, on the other hand, has been a show of the power of the leader – but also, at times, of that influence's limitations.

Trump's destinations in Malaysia, Japan and South Korea over the duration of the first four days were an display in pleasing a sometimes unpredictable American president. It was an recognition that the leader, with the signature of a pen, could introduce duties and additional actions that have the potential to damage the financial systems of export-oriented countries.

His sit-down with Chinese leader Xi Jinping on the last day, nevertheless, was a completely different scenario.

It was a session of equals on the global stage, where the consequences for both nations – for their markets, for their world reputation, for the prosperity of their people – were significant.

With China, the US leader may wave his pen, but such actions involve repercussions. They involve a cost.

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For the initial phase, the president's latest entry into international relations was successful.

Each visit was marked by a blend of traditional economic talks – arrangements made under the threat of Trump's "reciprocal" tariffs – and personal accommodations that at times approached the subservient.

In the Malaysian stop, Trump secured entry to essential resources and made progress toward concluding economic agreements with ASEAN countries. He also oversaw a agreement that should reduce frontier issues between Thailand and Cambodia – the type of "peace agreement" the US leader enjoys to highlight.

In Japan, the president's helicopter passed by a famous structure lit red, white and blue – with a peak in golden.

Recently chosen Leader Sanai Takaichi described $550bn in Japanese investments in the United States and presented the US leader a offering of a quarter-thousand cherry trees for America's semiquincentennial, and a sports gear and bag that belonged to former Prime Minister Abe, the killed former prime minister who developed ties with the president in his previous administration.

She also became the most recent foreign leader to suggest Trump for his long-sought Nobel Peace Prize.

Keeping pace, Korea received the president with cannons performing a honor salute and a armed forces orchestra that performed Hail to the Chief and the classic tune – the musical group song that has evolved into a Trump rally anthem.

President Lee Jae Myung held an "recognition ritual" for Trump during which he presented the US president his country's premier award and a replica of an ancient Korean dynastic crown.

Midday meal with the Korean leader featured a "Conciliatory Treat" of gold-covered chocolate squares. Afterward, the South Koreans served Trump fine beverage at an exclusive gathering in Trump's honour with six global figures present at the APEC conference.

In the America, Trump may be the subject of "Anti-Monarchy" protests by US citizens who reject his authority-expanding expansions of executive authority, but during his Asian visit he was handled as royalty.

And like the kings of ancient times, Trump came to South Korea requesting payment – in the guise of $two hundred billion in cash payments, $20bn a year, from South Korea to the United States, to be allocated at the guidance of the president's government. Approval on the conditions of those transfers contributed to that the duty level on South Korean goods to the US would decrease from twenty-five percent to under twenty percent.

The primary focus of Trump's Asian tour occurred in its concluding phase, however, as he sat down with the Chinese leader.

In that setting, the authority balance between heads of the world's two largest economies was decidedly distinct than the interactions Trump had with his overseas colleagues in previous days.

Absent were the usual pageantry and the display. No military bands, without ceremonial troops, no thoughtfully prepared dining selections honoring bilateral friendship. Rather, the both heads and their key staff were seated across a extended light-colored meeting furniture in a nondescript military building just near the airstrip of the southern port's global terminal.

It was likely a demonstration of the major consequences that when Trump made contact with Xi in the southern port, he appeared