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Presidential journeys abroad have typically been an chance to showcase the influence of the United States on the global scene. Donald Trump's week-long swing through eastern Asia, on the other hand, has been a show of the clout of the leader – but also, at points, of that authority's constraints.

Trump's stops in Malaysia, Japan and Korea over the span of the opening phase were an exercise in pleasing a at times mercurial American president. It was an recognition that the leader, with the flick of a hand, could introduce taxes and further steps that have the capacity to harm the economies of export-oriented countries.

His discussion with Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Thursday, however, was a distinct situation.

It was a meeting of counterparts on the world platform, where the risks for both nations – for their financial health, for their world reputation, for the well-being of their people – were enormous.

With China, the president may flick his power, but such actions entail ramifications. They involve a cost.

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For the first four days, Trump's latest venture into global diplomacy was successful.

Each destination was marked by a combination of traditional economic talks – agreements made under the threat of the president's "mutual" duties – and individual concessions that at points bordered on the deferential.

In Malaysia, the president gained access to key materials and made advances toward finalizing commercial deals with ASEAN countries. He also presided over a treaty that should alleviate frontier issues between Thailand and Cambodia – the kind of "peace deal" the president prefers to highlight.

In Japan, Trump's helicopter soared near a Tokyo Tower illuminated American colors – with a peak in gilded.

Freshly appointed Head Takaichi detailed $550bn in Tokyo's funding in the America and offered the president a present of a quarter-thousand flowering trees for America's 250th anniversary, and a sports gear and carrier that was owned by former Prime Minister Abe, the murdered ex-leader who bonded with the president in his initial presidency.

She also became the most recent overseas counterpart to propose the president for his much-desired international honor.

Keeping pace, Korea greeted Trump with cannons firing a 21-gun salute and a service ensemble that rendered the leader's song and the classic tune – the musical group tune that has evolved into a political gathering standard.

Leader Lee Jae Myung held an "recognition ritual" for the US leader during which he gave the president his state's top honor and a copy of an historical royal headpiece.

Noon repast with Lee contained a "Diplomat's Sweet" of gold-encrusted baked goods. Afterward, the South Koreans offered the president fine beverage at an exclusive gathering in Trump's honour with multiple global figures present at the regional summit summit.

In the US, the president may be the focus of "Anti-Authority" demonstrations by the public who disapprove of his boundary-testing increases of executive authority, but during his East Asia visit he was received as nobility.

And like the rulers of ancient times, Trump visited South Korea demanding tribute – in the shape of $200bn in cash payments, $twenty billion a year, from Korea to the United States, to be invested at the guidance of Trump's government. Approval on the terms of those payments helped ensure that the duty level on Korean exports to the America would fall from a quarter to 15%.

The main event of the president's regional visit occurred in its last moments, nevertheless, as he encountered the Chinese leader.

In that setting, the authority balance between counterparts of the global top two markets was noticeably different than the exchanges Trump had with his international peers in earlier stops.

Not present were typical pageantry and the spectacle. Lacking service ensembles, without honour guards, without meticulously designed dining selections celebrating mutual national affection. Instead, the two leaders and their key staff sat across a extended light-colored meeting furniture in a nondescript armed forces facility just near the airstrip of the city of Busan's international airport.

It was possibly a reflection of the high stakes that when Trump shook hands with the Chinese leader in the southern port, he seemed