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American leader visits abroad have traditionally been an opportunity to showcase the strength of the US on the international platform. Donald Trump's multi-day tour through East Asia, on the other hand, has been a display of the power of the president – but also, at times, of that power's boundaries.

The president's visits in Malaysia, Japan and South Korea over the course of the initial days were an display in pleasing a occasionally volatile US leader. It was an acknowledgement that the leader, with the stroke of a hand, could enact tariffs and other measures that have the capacity to devastate the markets of export-dependent countries.

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

It was a encounter of counterparts on the global stage, where the stakes for both nations – for their markets, for their world reputation, for the prosperity of their populations – were significant.

With the Chinese, the US leader may wave his power, but such actions come with repercussions. They carry a toll.

• Trump hails 'remarkable' talks with Xi but no agreement reached
• The Chinese president and the US leader find short-term ceasefire as China plays longer game

For the first four days, the president's latest foray into world politics was uneventful.

Each destination was characterized by a blend of traditional commercial discussions – arrangements made under the threat of Trump's "reciprocal" tariffs – and personal accommodations that at moments approached the deferential.

In the Malaysian stop, Trump gained access to key materials and made advances toward concluding commercial deals with ASEAN countries. He also led a pact that should ease border tensions between Thailand and Cambodia – the kind of "peace deal" the US leader enjoys to tout.

In the Japanese leg, the president's Marine One flew past a Tokyo Tower lit American colors – with a top in Trumpian gold.

Newly elected Head the Japanese leader detailed $550bn in Japan's financial commitments in the America and gave the American president a present of a quarter-thousand flowering trees for America's 250th birthday, and a sports gear and carrier that came from the late leader, the assassinated past head who bonded with Trump in his previous administration.

She also became the newest foreign leader to suggest Trump for his much-desired international honor.

Keeping pace, Korea greeted Trump with cannons performing a traditional greeting and a military band that played the leader's song and the classic tune – the musical group song that has evolved into a political gathering theme.

Leader the Korean president held an "award event" for the US leader during which he gave the president his nation's top honor and a replica of an traditional ruler's coronet.

Midday meal with Lee included a "Diplomat's Sweet" of gilded chocolate squares. Afterward, the Koreans served Trump fine beverage at an exclusive gathering in Trump's recognition with multiple world leaders present at the APEC conference.

In the United States, the president may be the subject of "Anti-Monarchy" rallies by the public who oppose his authority-expanding extensions of leader's control, but during his Asian swing he was handled as monarchy.

And like the kings of ancient times, Trump arrived in South Korea demanding contribution – in the shape of $two hundred billion in financial transfers, $20bn a annually, from Korea to the America, to be used at the direction of the president's leadership. Consent on the details of those contributions assisted in that the duty level on host nation goods to the America would drop from 25% to 15%.

The primary focus of Trump's Asian tour took place in its final hours, though, as he met with the Chinese leader.

In that setting, the influence relationship between leaders of the world's two largest economies was noticeably distinct than the interactions Trump had with his foreign counterparts in earlier stops.

Not present were typical pomp and the display. Lacking military bands, absent honour guards, no carefully crafted meal plans celebrating mutual national affection. By contrast, the both heads and their senior advisors positioned themselves across a extended light-colored discussion surface in a plain armed forces facility just near the airstrip of Busan's global terminal.

It was perhaps a indication of the significant risks that when Trump exchanged greetings with Xi in Busan, he seemed