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Presidential journeys abroad have historically been an chance to display the influence of the US on the international platform. Donald Trump's five-day swing through East Asia, by contrast, has been a demonstration of the power of the president – but also, at moments, of that influence's limitations.

Trump's visits in Malaysia, Japan and Korea over the span of the initial days were an display in pleasing a at times unpredictable US leader. It was an admission that the leader, with the flick of a hand, could introduce tariffs and other measures that have the capacity to damage the markets of trade-reliant countries.

His meeting with China's president Xi on Thursday, however, was something entirely different.

It was a encounter of peers on the global stage, where the consequences for each country – for their financial health, for their international prestige, for the prosperity of their citizens – were significant.

With China, the president may use his power, but these moves come with ramifications. They come with a toll.

• The US president describes 'remarkable' meeting with Xi but no agreement finalized
• The Chinese president and Trump reach short-term ceasefire as China pursues extended strategy

For the first four days, Trump's latest entry into world politics was successful.

Each visit was punctuated by a combination of conventional trade negotiations – arrangements made under the threat of the president's "mutual" taxes – and personal accommodations that at times verged on the deferential.

In the Malaysian stop, Trump gained access to key materials and made progress toward finalizing commercial deals with regional partners. He also led a treaty that should ease border tensions between Thailand and Cambodia – the type of "peace deal" the US leader loves to highlight.

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

Freshly appointed Prime Minister Sanai Takaichi described $550 billion in Japanese investments in the United States and offered the US leader a gift of two hundred fifty sakura trees for America's 250th anniversary, and a golf club and carrier that was owned by the late leader, the murdered past head who bonded with Trump in his previous administration.

She also became the latest foreign leader to propose the president for his much-desired Nobel Peace Prize.

Matching the effort, the Korean government received the president with guns discharging a traditional greeting and a armed forces orchestra that rendered Hail to the Chief and the Village People song – the band song that has evolved into a political gathering theme.

Leader Lee held an "award event" for Trump during which he presented the American leader his state's top honor and a model of an ancient Korean dynastic crown.

Midday meal with Lee featured a "Conciliatory Treat" of gold-covered chocolate squares. Later that day, the hosts served Trump premium vintage at an exclusive gathering in the president's recognition with six international heads participating in the Asia-Pacific Economic Conference meeting.

In the United States, Trump may be the subject of "Anti-Monarchy" demonstrations by US citizens who oppose his limit-pushing expansions of presidential power, but during his East Asia swing he was handled as royalty.

And like the rulers of history, Trump arrived in South Korea seeking tribute – in the shape of $two hundred billion in financial transfers, $20 billion a annually, from South Korea to the US, to be allocated at the direction of Trump's leadership. Approval on the terms of those transfers assisted in that the tariff rate on host nation products to the United States would decrease from 25% to under twenty percent.

The central moment of the president's regional visit came in its final hours, nevertheless, as he sat down with the Chinese leader.

At that location, the authority balance between counterparts of the world's two largest economies was markedly different than the meetings the president had with his overseas colleagues in prior visits.

Not present were typical pomp and the display. Lacking armed forces orchestras, no ceremonial troops, no thoughtfully prepared meal plans honoring shared goodwill. Instead, the both heads and their senior advisors positioned themselves across a large pale negotiating table in a nondescript service structure just near the airstrip of the southern port's air transport hub.

It was likely a indication of the major consequences that when Trump shook hands with Xi in Busan, he seemed