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American leader visits abroad have typically been an chance to showcase the influence of the United States on the international platform. Donald Trump's multi-day swing through East Asia, by contrast, has been a display of the authority of Trump – but also, at points, of that influence's constraints.

The president's destinations in Malaysia, Japan and South Korea over the span of the initial days were an exercise in catering to a occasionally unpredictable US leader. It was an admission that the president, with the flick of a hand, could introduce tariffs and other measures that have the ability to damage the markets of export-oriented countries.

His sit-down with Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Thursday, though, was something entirely different.

It was a encounter of counterparts on the world platform, where the risks for both nations – for their economies, for their international prestige, for the well-being of their citizens – were enormous.

With China, Trump may use his pen, but these moves come with repercussions. They carry a toll.

• The US president hails 'impressive' meeting with Xi but no trade deal finalized
• The Chinese president and the US leader reach temporary truce as Beijing plays longer game

For the opening segment, the president's latest entry into global diplomacy was smooth sailing.

Each visit was punctuated by a blend of standard trade negotiations – deals made under the pressure of Trump's "reciprocal" taxes – and special treatment that at times verged on the subservient.

In the Malaysian stop, the president obtained rights to essential resources and made advances toward completing economic agreements with ASEAN countries. He also oversaw a treaty that should reduce border tensions between Thailand and Cambodia – the type of "peace agreement" the US leader loves to tout.

In the Japanese leg, the president's helicopter soared near a landmark tower displayed US flag colors – with a summit in golden.

Newly elected Leader Sanai Takaichi described $half-trillion in Japan's financial commitments in the United States and presented the US leader a gift of a quarter-thousand cherry trees for the United States' 250th anniversary, and a sports gear and carrier that belonged to the late leader, the murdered past head who connected with Trump in his first term.

She also became the newest overseas counterpart to nominate Trump for his long-sought Nobel Peace Prize.

Not to be outdone, South Korea welcomed Trump with cannons performing a 21-gun salute and a military band that rendered Hail to the Chief and the Village People song – the musical group tune that has turned into a Trump rally theme.

Leader the Korean president held an "award event" for Trump during which he awarded the US president his country's premier award and a copy of an historical royal headpiece.

Midday meal with Lee contained a "Conciliatory Treat" of gold-encrusted chocolate squares. Subsequently, the South Koreans provided Trump premium vintage at an exclusive gathering in the president's recognition with half-dozen international heads present at the regional summit conference.

In the United States, Trump may be the focus of "Anti-Authority" demonstrations by Americans who oppose his authority-expanding increases of presidential power, but during his Asian visit he was handled as nobility.

And like the kings of ancient times, Trump arrived in the Korean nation demanding tribute – in the shape of $two hundred billion in financial transfers, $20bn a year, from South Korea to the US, to be used at the direction of the president's leadership. Approval on the conditions of those transfers contributed to that the tax percentage on South Korean exports to the United States would fall from twenty-five percent to 15%.

The main event of the president's Asian tour came in its concluding phase, though, as he met with Xi.

At that location, the authority balance between heads of the planet's biggest economic powers was decidedly different than the interactions the president had with his international peers in earlier stops.

Not present were typical pomp and the display. Lacking armed forces orchestras, absent protocol units, no meticulously designed menus celebrating bilateral friendship. By contrast, the two leaders and their key staff were seated across a large pale meeting furniture in a plain service structure just off the runway of the southern port's international airport.

It was perhaps a demonstration of the major consequences that when the president made contact with the Chinese leader in the Korean city, he looked