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American leader visits abroad have traditionally been an opportunity to demonstrate the influence of the US on the world stage. Trump's multi-day swing through eastern Asia, on the other hand, has been a demonstration of the power of the president – but also, at moments, of that influence's limitations.

Trump's destinations in Malaysia, Japan and Korea over the span of the initial days were an demonstration in catering to a sometimes mercurial American president. It was an recognition that the president, with the stroke of a hand, could introduce taxes and additional actions that have the ability to damage the economies of export-dependent countries.

His sit-down with Beijing's head Xi on the last day, however, was a distinct situation.

It was a session of equals on the international scene, where the risks for the two powers – for their markets, for their world reputation, for the well-being of their people – were immense.

With the Chinese, the president may wave his authority, but those steps entail consequences. They come with a toll.

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For the first four days, Trump's recent foray into global diplomacy was uneventful.

Each visit was characterized by a combination of traditional economic talks – deals made under the threat of Trump's "equivalent" duties – and personal accommodations that at points verged on the deferential.

In the Malaysian stop, Trump obtained rights to key materials and made headway toward finalizing economic agreements with regional partners. He also oversaw a agreement that should reduce territorial disputes between Thailand and Cambodia – the kind of "peace deal" the American president loves to promote.

In the Japanese leg, the president's helicopter flew past a landmark tower lit US flag colors – with a top in gilded.

Recently chosen Prime Minister Takaichi detailed $550bn in Japanese investments in the US and presented the US leader a gift of a quarter-thousand flowering trees for the United States' 250th anniversary, and a golf equipment and bag that was owned by former Prime Minister Abe, the murdered past head who connected with Trump in his initial presidency.

She also became the most recent foreign leader to suggest the president for his highly-coveted international honor.

Matching the effort, the Korean government greeted the president with artillery firing a 21-gun salute and a service ensemble that performed the presidential anthem and the classic tune – the musical group anthem that has evolved into a Trump rally standard.

Leader the Korean president held an "award event" for Trump during which he presented the president his nation's premier award and a replica of an ancient Korean dynastic crown.

Noon repast with the Korean leader featured a "Conciliatory Treat" of gold-covered chocolate squares. Later that day, the hosts served the president premium vintage at an exclusive gathering in Trump's recognition with multiple international heads participating in the regional summit summit.

In the United States, Trump may be the focus of "Anti-Authority" rallies by Americans who disapprove of his authority-expanding expansions of presidential power, but during his Asian tour he was treated like monarchy.

And like the kings of history, the president visited Korea seeking contribution – in the guise of $200bn in cash payments, $20bn a per year, from South Korea to the United States, to be invested at the guidance of Trump's administration. Consent on the details of those transfers helped ensure that the tax percentage on host nation exports to the United States would drop from 25% to fifteen percent.

The primary focus of Trump's regional visit occurred in its final hours, though, as he encountered Xi.

In that setting, the influence relationship between leaders of the planet's biggest economic powers was decidedly distinct than the interactions Trump had with his international peers in prior visits.

Absent were typical ceremony and the display. Lacking military bands, absent protocol units, no thoughtfully prepared dining selections honoring shared goodwill. Rather, the pair of counterparts and their key staff were seated across a long white negotiating table in a nondescript military building just adjacent to the landing strip of the southern port's air transport hub.

It was possibly a reflection of the significant risks that when Trump exchanged greetings with Xi in the Korean city, he seemed