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American leader visits abroad have traditionally been an opportunity to showcase the influence of the American nation on the world stage. Trump's multi-day tour through eastern Asia, conversely, has been a demonstration of the clout of Trump – but also, at points, of that authority's constraints.

Trump's stops in Malaysia, Japan and Korea over the course of the opening phase were an demonstration in pleasing a occasionally volatile president. It was an acknowledgement that Trump, with the stroke of a hand, could impose tariffs and other measures that have the capacity to harm the economies of export-oriented nations.

His discussion with China's president Xi on the final day, however, was a completely different scenario.

It was a session of counterparts on the world platform, where the risks for each country – for their markets, for their world reputation, for the welfare of their citizens – were immense.

With Beijing, the president may use his authority, but such actions come with ramifications. They come with a price.

• Trump praises 'amazing' talks with the Chinese leader but no pact reached
• The Chinese president and the US leader find temporary truce as China pursues extended strategy

For the first four days, Trump's most recent venture into global diplomacy was smooth sailing.

Each destination was marked by a mix of standard trade negotiations – agreements made under the threat of the president's "mutual" duties – and individual concessions that at moments bordered on the obsequious.

In Malaysia, Trump secured access to essential resources and made progress toward finalizing trade arrangements with ASEAN countries. He also led a agreement that should ease border tensions between Thailand and Cambodia – the kind of "peace agreement" the US leader prefers to promote.

In the Japanese leg, Trump's Marine One soared near a landmark tower displayed American colors – with a peak in Trumpian gold.

Freshly appointed Prime Minister the Japanese leader outlined $550bn in Tokyo's funding in the United States and presented the American president a gift of 250 flowering trees for the United States' 250th anniversary, and a sports gear and bag that was owned by Shinzo Abe, the murdered ex-leader who developed ties with the president in his first term.

She also became the newest international head to propose Trump for his much-desired international honor.

Matching the effort, the Korean government greeted Trump with guns performing a 21-gun salute and a military band that rendered Hail to the Chief and the classic tune – the musical group anthem that has turned into a political gathering theme.

Leader Lee held an "recognition ritual" for Trump during which he awarded the US president his country's top honor and a model of an traditional ruler's coronet.

Midday meal with Lee featured a "Peacemaker's Dessert" of gold-encrusted chocolate squares. Subsequently, the Koreans served Trump premium vintage at an exclusive gathering in Trump's recognition with multiple global figures participating in the regional summit conference.

In the America, the president may be the target of "Anti-Authority" demonstrations by US citizens who reject his boundary-testing expansions of presidential power, but during his regional visit he was treated like monarchy.

And like the kings of history, Trump arrived in South Korea seeking payment – in the guise of $200 billion in monetary contributions, $twenty billion a annually, from South Korea to the America, to be invested at the direction of the president's government. Approval on the details of those contributions helped ensure that the tariff rate on Korean goods to the America would drop from twenty-five percent to 15%.

The primary focus of the president's Asia trip took place in its last moments, nevertheless, as he encountered the Chinese leader.

At that location, the power dynamic between leaders of the world's two largest economies was noticeably distinct than the exchanges Trump had with his foreign counterparts in previous days.

Not present were the usual ceremony and the display. Without any service ensembles, no protocol units, without thoughtfully prepared meal plans marking shared goodwill. Instead, the both heads and their top aides were seated across a long white meeting furniture in a plain military building just off the runway of Busan's international airport.

It was perhaps a demonstration of the significant risks that when the president exchanged greetings with the Chinese leader in the Korean city, he seemed