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American leader visits abroad have traditionally been an chance to demonstrate the influence of the United States on the international platform. Donald Trump's multi-day tour through East Asia, conversely, has been a demonstration of the clout of the president – but also, at moments, of that influence's limitations.

The president's destinations in Malaysia, Japan and South Korea over the span of the first four days were an exercise in satisfying a occasionally volatile president. It was an recognition that Trump, with the signature of a document, could enact taxes and other measures that have the potential to harm the economies of trade-reliant states.

His discussion with Beijing's head Xi Jinping on Thursday, nevertheless, was something entirely different.

It was a session of counterparts on the global stage, where the consequences for each country – for their markets, for their world reputation, for the prosperity of their citizens – were immense.

With the Chinese, Trump may wave his power, but such actions come with consequences. They involve a cost.

• Trump praises 'amazing' meeting with Xi but no agreement reached
• The Chinese president and Trump find brief pause as Beijing plays longer game

For the first four days, the president's most recent venture into international relations was smooth sailing.

Each stop was marked by a mix of standard trade negotiations – deals made under the pressure of Trump's "mutual" tariffs – and personal accommodations that at times approached the obsequious.

In Malaysia, Trump secured access to essential resources and made headway toward completing commercial deals with regional partners. He also presided over a agreement that should alleviate border tensions between Thailand and Cambodia – the type of "truce" the president enjoys to promote.

In the Japanese leg, Trump's Marine One passed by a landmark tower illuminated red, white and blue – with a top in golden.

Newly elected Prime Minister Takaichi detailed $550bn in Japanese investments in the United States and offered the president a present of 250 flowering trees for the United States' 250th birthday, and a golf club and bag that was owned by former Prime Minister Abe, the assassinated past head who bonded with Trump in his initial presidency.

She also became the latest foreign leader to nominate the president for his much-desired peace award.

Keeping pace, Korea welcomed the president with artillery discharging a honor salute and a service ensemble that performed Hail to the Chief and YMCA – the band anthem that has turned into a political gathering theme.

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

Noon repast with Lee included a "Diplomat's Sweet" of gilded chocolate squares. Afterward, the South Koreans offered the president premium vintage at an intimate dinner in Trump's recognition with half-dozen world leaders present at the APEC conference.

In the America, Trump may be the subject of "No Kings" demonstrations by the public who reject his authority-expanding extensions of leader's control, but during his East Asia swing he was received as nobility.

And like the rulers of history, the president arrived in South Korea seeking tribute – in the guise of $200bn in cash payments, $20bn a annually, from the host nation to the United States, to be used at the direction of Trump's leadership. Agreement on the conditions of those payments helped ensure that the tax percentage on host nation products to the United States would decrease from 25% to fifteen percent.

The primary focus of the president's regional visit occurred in its last moments, though, as he encountered the Chinese leader.

In that setting, the authority balance between counterparts of the world's two largest economies was markedly distinct than the exchanges Trump had with his overseas colleagues in previous days.

Not present were typical pageantry and the display. Without any military bands, without ceremonial troops, missing carefully crafted meal plans honoring bilateral friendship. Instead, the two leaders and their senior advisors positioned themselves across a extended light-colored meeting furniture in a nondescript armed forces facility just adjacent to the landing strip of Busan's international airport.

It was perhaps a indication of the major consequences that when the president made contact with Xi in the southern port, he looked