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Presidential journeys internationally have traditionally been an opportunity to display the power of the US on the international platform. Donald Trump's week-long swing through eastern Asia, conversely, has been a show of the clout of the leader – but also, at moments, of that influence's limitations.

The president's stops in Malaysia, Japan and South Korea over the course of the initial days were an demonstration in satisfying a sometimes mercurial American president. It was an admission that the leader, with the flick of a document, could enact taxes and additional actions that have the potential to damage the financial systems of export-dependent states.

His meeting with Chinese leader Xi on the last day, though, was a distinct situation.

It was a meeting of counterparts on the international scene, where the consequences for both nations – for their financial health, for their world reputation, for the prosperity of their populations – were enormous.

With the Chinese, the president may flick his authority, but those steps involve consequences. They come with a price.

• Trump hails 'amazing' meeting with Xi but no pact reached
• The Chinese president and Trump establish short-term ceasefire as China pursues extended strategy

For the opening segment, Trump's latest foray into global diplomacy was smooth sailing.

Each visit was marked by a combination of standard commercial discussions – arrangements made under the pressure of Trump's "equivalent" taxes – and special treatment that at moments verged on the deferential.

In the Malaysian stop, Trump secured rights to critical minerals and made headway toward concluding economic agreements with south-east Asian nations. He also presided over a agreement that should ease territorial disputes between Thailand and Cambodia – the kind of "peace deal" the president prefers to tout.

In Japan, Trump's official aircraft soared near a famous structure displayed American colors – with a summit in Trumpian gold.

Newly elected Leader Sanai Takaichi outlined $half-trillion in Japanese investments in the America and gave the US leader a gift of a quarter-thousand cherry trees for the United States' 250th anniversary, and a golf equipment and bag that came from Shinzo Abe, the murdered ex-leader who connected with the president in his initial presidency.

She also became the latest overseas counterpart to suggest the president for his much-desired peace award.

Not to be outdone, South Korea greeted the president with artillery discharging a traditional greeting and a military band that rendered Hail to the Chief and the classic tune – the Village People song that has become a Trump rally standard.

President Lee Jae Myung held an "honour ceremony" for Trump during which he awarded the president his state's top honor and a model of an ancient Korean dynastic crown.

Lunch with the Korean leader contained a "Peacemaker's Dessert" of gilded chocolate squares. Later that day, the Koreans served Trump premium vintage at an private meal in Trump's honor with multiple global figures present at the regional summit meeting.

In the US, Trump may be the focus of "Anti-Authority" protests by US citizens who disapprove of his authority-expanding extensions of leader's control, but during his East Asia tour he was handled as nobility.

And like the rulers of history, Trump visited Korea seeking payment – in the shape of $200bn in cash payments, $twenty billion a year, from South Korea to the US, to be used at the discretion of Trump's government. Agreement on the details of those transfers assisted in that the duty level on South Korean goods to the US would decrease from 25% to under twenty percent.

The primary focus of Trump's Asian tour took place in its last moments, though, as he encountered Xi.

There, the influence relationship between counterparts of the global top two markets was noticeably distinct than the interactions Trump had with his international peers in earlier stops.

Not present were typical ceremony and the display. No military bands, without protocol units, without thoughtfully prepared meal plans marking mutual national affection. Rather, the two leaders and their top aides positioned themselves across a large pale discussion surface in a unremarkable military building just near the airstrip of the southern port's air transport hub.

It was possibly a indication of the major consequences that when Trump made contact with the Chinese leader in the southern port, he appeared