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Presidential journeys overseas have historically been an occasion to demonstrate the strength of the American nation on the global scene. The president's week-long tour through Asian nations, on the other hand, has been a show of the power of the president – but also, at moments, of that influence's boundaries.

Trump's destinations in Malaysia, Japan and Korea over the duration of the opening phase were an display in pleasing a occasionally unpredictable American president. It was an recognition that the leader, with the stroke of a document, could introduce tariffs and other measures that have the capacity to devastate the markets of trade-reliant countries.

His discussion with Beijing's head Xi on the final day, though, was something entirely different.

It was a encounter of equals on the world platform, where the consequences for both nations – for their financial health, for their global standing, for the well-being of their citizens – were enormous.

With Beijing, the US leader may flick his power, but these moves involve ramifications. They come with a toll.

• Trump praises 'amazing' encounter with Xi but no pact finalized
• The Chinese president and the US leader reach short-term ceasefire as China adopts strategic patience

For the opening segment, the president's most recent foray into global diplomacy was smooth sailing.

Each destination was punctuated by a blend of standard commercial discussions – deals made under the shadow of Trump's "mutual" duties – and individual concessions that at times approached the subservient.

In Malaysia, Trump secured access to essential resources and made headway toward finalizing trade arrangements with regional partners. He also oversaw a agreement that should reduce border tensions between Thailand and Cambodia – the type of "peace agreement" the US leader loves to tout.

In the Japanese leg, the president's official aircraft passed by a landmark tower lit American colors – with a top in golden.

Freshly appointed Leader Sanai Takaichi detailed $550bn in Japanese investments in the US and offered the American president a present of a quarter-thousand cherry trees for the United States' 250th birthday, and a sports gear and bag that belonged to the late leader, the assassinated former prime minister who bonded with the president in his initial presidency.

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

Not to be outdone, South Korea greeted the president with cannons discharging a traditional greeting and a service ensemble that played Hail to the Chief and YMCA – the musical group anthem that has become a Trump rally theme.

President Lee Jae Myung held an "award event" for Trump during which he presented the US president his state's top honor and a copy of an historical royal headpiece.

Midday meal with Lee contained a "Peacemaker's Dessert" of gold-encrusted brownies. Subsequently, the hosts served Trump premium vintage at an intimate dinner in Trump's honour with multiple world leaders attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Conference meeting.

In the US, the president may be the target of "Anti-Monarchy" protests by US citizens who oppose his boundary-testing expansions of presidential power, but during his Asian visit he was treated like royalty.

And like the monarchs of ancient times, Trump came to the Korean nation demanding payment – in the form of $200 billion in monetary contributions, $20 billion a per year, from South Korea to the America, to be allocated at the guidance of the president's administration. Approval on the details of those transfers contributed to that the tariff rate on Korean goods to the America would decrease from twenty-five percent to 15%.

The primary focus of Trump's Asian tour took place in its final hours, nevertheless, as he sat down with the Chinese leader.

In that setting, the authority balance between counterparts of the global top two markets was decidedly distinct than the exchanges the president had with his international peers in previous days.

Absent were all the pomp and the spectacle. No armed forces orchestras, absent honour guards, without thoughtfully prepared meal plans marking mutual national affection. Instead, the two leaders and their senior advisors sat across a large pale meeting furniture in a nondescript service structure just off the runway of Busan's global terminal.

It was possibly a indication of the significant risks that when the president made contact with the Chinese leader in Busan, he seemed