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American leader visits abroad have historically been an opportunity to showcase the power of the US on the world stage. The president's multi-day tour through East Asia, by contrast, has been a demonstration of the authority of the leader – but also, at times, of that influence's limitations.

The president's destinations in Malaysia, Japan and Korea over the span of the opening phase were an demonstration in catering to a at times mercurial US leader. It was an acknowledgement that the leader, with the stroke of a hand, could enact taxes and further steps that have the ability to devastate the economies of export-oriented nations.

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

It was a meeting of counterparts on the international scene, where the risks for each country – for their financial health, for their international prestige, for the prosperity of their citizens – were enormous.

With the Chinese, Trump may wave his pen, but these moves involve repercussions. They come with a toll.

• The US president praises 'impressive' encounter with the Chinese leader but no agreement reached
• Xi and the US leader establish short-term ceasefire as Beijing adopts strategic patience

For the opening segment, the president's recent entry into world politics was smooth sailing.

Each visit was marked by a blend of standard commercial discussions – deals made under the shadow of Trump's "mutual" duties – and special treatment that at moments bordered on the obsequious.

In Malaysia, Trump gained rights to critical minerals and made progress toward finalizing commercial deals with ASEAN countries. He also presided over a treaty that should reduce territorial disputes between Thailand and Cambodia – the sort of "peace deal" the American president enjoys to tout.

In Japan, the president's helicopter flew past a Tokyo Tower illuminated red, white and blue – with a top in gilded.

Freshly appointed Head Sanai Takaichi detailed $half-trillion in Japan's financial commitments in the United States and offered the American president a offering of 250 sakura trees for America's 250th birthday, and a golf club and case that belonged to the late leader, the murdered ex-leader who bonded with Trump in his initial presidency.

She also became the most recent foreign leader to nominate Trump for his much-desired Nobel Peace Prize.

Matching the effort, the Korean government welcomed the president with artillery discharging a traditional greeting and a armed forces orchestra that performed Hail to the Chief and the classic tune – the Village People song that has turned into a presidential event anthem.

President Lee held an "recognition ritual" for Trump during which he gave the US president his country's premier award and a copy of an historical royal headpiece.

Lunch with Lee included a "Diplomat's Sweet" of gold-covered baked goods. Subsequently, the hosts provided the president vineyard wine at an exclusive gathering in the president's recognition with multiple world leaders participating in the Asia-Pacific Economic Conference conference.

In the US, the president may be the focus of "Anti-Monarchy" protests by the public who reject his boundary-testing increases of leader's control, but during his regional visit he was treated like nobility.

And like the rulers of history, the president visited the Korean nation seeking payment – in the guise of $200bn in cash payments, $20bn a year, from the host nation to the US, to be allocated at the guidance of the president's government. Agreement on the conditions of those payments contributed to that the tariff rate on Korean products to the US would decrease from 25% to fifteen percent.

The primary focus of Trump's Asian tour took place in its last moments, though, as he met with the Chinese leader.

In that setting, the influence relationship between heads of the planet's biggest economic powers was noticeably divergent than the interactions the president had with his foreign counterparts in prior visits.

Not present were all the pageantry and the spectacle. Lacking military bands, absent honour guards, missing carefully crafted menus celebrating shared goodwill. Instead, the two leaders and their senior advisors positioned themselves across a large pale negotiating table in a unremarkable military building just near the airstrip of the southern port's international airport.

It was likely a indication of the high stakes that when Trump shook hands with the Chinese leader in the Korean city, he appeared