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American leader visits abroad have typically been an chance to demonstrate the influence of the American nation on the world stage. Donald Trump's multi-day trip through Asian nations, conversely, has been a show of the clout of Trump – but also, at moments, of that power's limitations.

Trump's stops in Malaysia, Japan and Korea over the duration of the opening phase were an exercise in catering to a sometimes unpredictable US leader. It was an recognition that the leader, with the flick of a document, could enact taxes and further steps that have the capacity to devastate the economies of export-oriented nations.

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

It was a session of peers on the global stage, where the consequences for the two powers – for their economies, for their world reputation, for the well-being of their people – were significant.

With the Chinese, Trump may wave his pen, but those steps entail repercussions. They carry a cost.

• The US president describes 'impressive' encounter with the Chinese leader but no trade deal agreed
• The Chinese president and the US leader find temporary truce as China adopts strategic patience

For the initial phase, Trump's recent foray into international relations was smooth sailing.

Each stop was marked by a combination of conventional trade negotiations – agreements made under the shadow of the president's "reciprocal" taxes – and special treatment that at times bordered on the subservient.

In Malaysia, Trump gained entry to critical minerals and made headway toward completing commercial deals with ASEAN countries. He also oversaw a pact that should ease border tensions between Thailand and Cambodia – the sort of "truce" the US leader enjoys to promote.

In the Japanese leg, the president's Marine One passed by a landmark tower lit red, white and blue – with a summit in Trumpian gold.

Newly elected Prime Minister the Japanese leader described $half-trillion in Japanese investments in the US and presented the US leader a present of a quarter-thousand sakura trees for America's semiquincentennial, and a sports gear and case that belonged to former Prime Minister Abe, the assassinated former prime minister who developed ties with the president in his first term.

She also became the most recent overseas counterpart to nominate Trump for his long-sought peace award.

Matching the effort, Korea welcomed Trump with cannons discharging a traditional greeting and a service ensemble that played the leader's song and the classic tune – the Village People tune that has become a political gathering standard.

President Lee held an "recognition ritual" for the US leader during which he awarded the US president his country's top honor and a copy of an historical royal headpiece.

Midday meal with the Korean leader contained a "Peacemaker's Dessert" of gold-encrusted baked goods. Subsequently, the hosts offered the president premium vintage at an intimate dinner in Trump's recognition with multiple international heads present at the Asia-Pacific Economic Conference conference.

In the US, Trump may be the focus of "Anti-Monarchy" demonstrations by US citizens who oppose his limit-pushing increases of executive authority, but during his regional swing he was received as royalty.

And like the rulers of ancient times, Trump came to Korea seeking tribute – in the shape of $two hundred billion in monetary contributions, $20bn a year, from South Korea to the United States, to be invested at the direction of the president's leadership. Consent on the terms of those transfers contributed to that the tariff rate on South Korean products to the America would drop from 25% to fifteen percent.

The primary focus of Trump's Asian tour came in its last moments, though, as he sat down with Xi.

In that setting, the authority balance between leaders of the planet's biggest economic powers was markedly different than the exchanges Trump had with his overseas colleagues in earlier stops.

Not present were the usual ceremony and the pageantry. Without any armed forces orchestras, absent ceremonial troops, missing carefully crafted dining selections marking bilateral friendship. Instead, the two leaders and their key staff positioned themselves across a extended light-colored discussion surface in a plain service structure just off the runway of Busan's global terminal.

It was likely a reflection of the high stakes that when Trump exchanged greetings with Xi in the Korean city, he appeared