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US presidential trips internationally have typically been an chance to demonstrate the power of the United States on the global scene. Trump's multi-day trip through eastern Asia, on the other hand, has been a show of the authority of the leader – but also, at moments, of that influence's boundaries.

The president's visits in Malaysia, Japan and South Korea over the course of the initial days were an demonstration in satisfying a sometimes mercurial US leader. It was an acknowledgement that the leader, with the signature of a pen, could enact taxes and further steps that have the potential to devastate the financial systems of export-dependent states.

His meeting with Chinese leader Xi on Thursday, however, was a completely different scenario.

It was a session of counterparts on the international scene, where the risks for the two powers – for their economies, for their world reputation, for the prosperity of their populations – were significant.

With the Chinese, the US leader may use his power, but these moves entail repercussions. They carry a price.

• The US president describes 'amazing' encounter with the Chinese leader but no pact reached
• Xi and the US leader establish brief pause as Beijing plays longer game

For the initial phase, the president's recent entry into global diplomacy was uneventful.

Each stop was marked by a combination of traditional economic talks – deals made under the pressure of Trump's "reciprocal" duties – and special treatment that at times verged on the obsequious.

In Malaysia, Trump gained access to critical minerals and made headway toward finalizing commercial deals with regional partners. He also led a agreement that should ease frontier issues between Thailand and Cambodia – the type of "peace agreement" the American president enjoys to tout.

In Japan, the president's helicopter soared near a famous structure illuminated red, white and blue – with a top in Trumpian gold.

Freshly appointed Head Takaichi outlined $550 billion in Tokyo's funding in the US and offered the president a offering of a quarter-thousand sakura trees for America's 250th birthday, and a golf club and carrier that belonged to Shinzo Abe, the killed past head who connected with Trump in his initial presidency.

She also became the latest overseas counterpart to nominate Trump for his long-sought international honor.

Not to be outdone, South Korea greeted Trump with guns firing a honor salute and a armed forces orchestra that performed the presidential anthem and the classic tune – the musical group anthem that has become a political gathering standard.

Head Lee Jae Myung held an "honour ceremony" for Trump during which he presented the president his country's premier award and a model of an traditional ruler's coronet.

Lunch with Lee included a "Conciliatory Treat" of gold-encrusted chocolate squares. Later that day, the hosts served the president fine beverage at an exclusive gathering in Trump's honour with half-dozen world leaders participating in the regional summit meeting.

In the US, Trump may be the subject of "Anti-Monarchy" demonstrations by the public who reject his authority-expanding expansions of presidential power, but during his regional swing he was handled as monarchy.

And like the rulers of ancient times, Trump arrived in Korea demanding tribute – in the shape of $200 billion in financial transfers, $twenty billion a year, from the host nation to the United States, to be invested at the guidance of the president's leadership. Approval on the details of those payments helped ensure that the tax percentage on Korean products to the United States would decrease from a quarter to 15%.

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

There, the power dynamic between leaders of the world's two largest economies was markedly distinct than the exchanges the president had with his foreign counterparts in previous days.

Not present were the usual ceremony and the pageantry. Lacking military bands, absent ceremonial troops, missing thoughtfully prepared dining selections celebrating shared goodwill. Rather, the both heads and their key staff positioned themselves across a extended light-colored discussion surface in a plain military building just adjacent to the landing strip of Busan's international airport.

It was likely a reflection of the high stakes that when Trump exchanged greetings with the Chinese leader in Busan, he seemed