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Presidential journeys overseas have historically been an chance to display the strength of the United States on the international platform. Donald Trump's week-long trip through East Asia, on the other hand, has been a demonstration of the authority of the president – but also, at moments, of that influence's constraints.

Trump's visits in Malaysia, Japan and South Korea over the duration of the opening phase were an display in satisfying a sometimes unpredictable American president. It was an acknowledgement that the leader, with the signature of a document, could impose duties and additional actions that have the ability to damage the markets of export-dependent states.

His sit-down with Beijing's head Xi Jinping on Thursday, though, was a completely different scenario.

It was a session of equals on the international scene, where the consequences for both nations – for their economies, for their world reputation, for the welfare of their people – were enormous.

With the Chinese, the US leader may use his authority, but such actions entail repercussions. They involve a price.

• The US president hails 'impressive' encounter with Xi but no pact agreed
• The Chinese president and Trump find temporary truce as China adopts strategic patience

For the opening segment, Trump's latest venture into international relations was successful.

Each stop was characterized by a mix of standard economic talks – deals made under the threat of Trump's "equivalent" taxes – and special treatment that at moments bordered on the deferential.

In the Malaysian stop, Trump gained access to critical minerals and made advances toward concluding commercial deals with south-east Asian nations. He also led a pact that should reduce border tensions between Thailand and Cambodia – the type of "peace agreement" the president prefers to tout.

In the Japanese leg, the president's helicopter passed by a Tokyo Tower illuminated US flag colors – with a top in Trumpian gold.

Recently chosen Head Sanai Takaichi detailed $half-trillion in Japan's financial commitments in the United States and presented the US leader a present of two hundred fifty cherry trees for the United States' 250th anniversary, and a golf equipment and carrier that belonged to the late leader, the assassinated past head who connected with the president in his first term.

She also became the latest international head to suggest Trump for his long-sought peace award.

Keeping pace, South Korea received Trump with guns performing a honor salute and a armed forces orchestra that rendered the presidential anthem and the Village People song – the Village People song that has evolved into a Trump rally anthem.

Leader the Korean president held an "honour ceremony" for Trump during which he awarded the president his country's premier award and a copy of an historical royal headpiece.

Noon repast with Lee contained a "Conciliatory Treat" of gilded chocolate squares. Later that day, the hosts offered Trump premium vintage at an intimate dinner in Trump's honor with half-dozen international heads attending the regional summit summit.

In the United States, Trump may be the subject of "Anti-Authority" rallies by US citizens who oppose his authority-expanding expansions of executive authority, but during his East Asia swing he was received as royalty.

And like the monarchs of old, Trump arrived in Korea demanding tribute – in the form of $200bn in cash payments, $20bn a annually, from South Korea to the United States, to be allocated at the discretion of Trump's administration. Agreement on the terms of those transfers contributed to that the duty level on South Korean products to the US would drop from 25% to under twenty percent.

The main event of the president's Asia trip came in its last moments, though, as he met with the Chinese leader.

There, the power dynamic between leaders of the global top two markets was noticeably different than the exchanges Trump had with his overseas colleagues in earlier stops.

Missing were the usual pageantry and the spectacle. Lacking service ensembles, absent honour guards, no meticulously designed menus celebrating mutual national affection. Instead, the pair of counterparts and their top aides sat across a extended light-colored discussion surface in a unremarkable service structure just off the runway of the southern port's global terminal.

It was perhaps a indication of the high stakes that when Trump exchanged greetings with Xi in Busan, he seemed