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Presidential journeys internationally have typically been an opportunity to showcase the influence of the United States on the international platform. Donald Trump's week-long trip through East Asia, by contrast, has been a show of the clout of the leader – but also, at points, of that power's constraints.

Trump's destinations in Malaysia, Japan and Korea over the course of the first four days were an exercise in catering to a occasionally mercurial US leader. It was an acknowledgement that Trump, with the stroke of a pen, could introduce tariffs and additional actions that have the potential to harm the markets of trade-reliant nations.

His discussion with Beijing's head Xi on Thursday, nevertheless, was a completely different scenario.

It was a encounter of equals on the world platform, where the consequences for each country – for their markets, for their global standing, for the well-being of their citizens – were significant.

With Beijing, the president may use his power, but those steps involve repercussions. They involve a cost.

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

For the initial phase, Trump's latest foray into world politics was smooth sailing.

Each visit was marked by a blend of traditional trade negotiations – agreements made under the pressure of Trump's "reciprocal" duties – and personal accommodations that at moments approached the deferential.

In the Malaysian stop, Trump gained rights to key materials and made progress toward completing commercial deals with ASEAN countries. He also presided over a treaty that should ease territorial disputes between Thailand and Cambodia – the sort of "peace deal" the American president loves to tout.

In Japan, the president's official aircraft soared near a landmark tower displayed American colors – with a summit in golden.

Freshly appointed Head Takaichi described $550 billion in Japanese investments in the America and presented the American president a present of 250 flowering trees for America's semiquincentennial, and a golf club and bag that was owned by the late leader, the assassinated ex-leader who developed ties with the president in his initial presidency.

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

Keeping pace, Korea welcomed the president with guns performing a 21-gun salute and a armed forces orchestra that rendered the presidential anthem and the Village People song – the musical group tune that has become a Trump rally theme.

Head Lee Jae Myung held an "honour ceremony" for Trump during which he awarded the US president his country's premier award and a model of an historical royal headpiece.

Noon repast with Lee contained a "Peacemaker's Dessert" of gold-covered chocolate squares. Afterward, the Koreans provided Trump fine beverage at an exclusive gathering in Trump's honor with multiple global figures present at the regional summit summit.

In the US, the president may be the focus of "Anti-Authority" protests by the public who oppose his authority-expanding expansions of presidential power, but during his regional swing he was handled as monarchy.

And like the monarchs of ancient times, Trump arrived in Korea requesting payment – in the shape of $200bn in cash payments, $20bn a annually, from the host nation to the United States, to be invested at the discretion of Trump's government. Agreement on the details of those payments contributed to that the tax percentage on South Korean exports to the America would fall from a quarter to 15%.

The primary focus of the president's Asia trip occurred in its final hours, however, as he met with the Chinese leader.

At that location, the power dynamic between counterparts of the planet's biggest economic powers was markedly distinct than the meetings Trump had with his international peers in prior visits.

Absent were all the pageantry and the display. Lacking service ensembles, no honour guards, without carefully crafted menus honoring mutual national affection. Instead, the two leaders and their senior advisors were seated across a long white meeting furniture in a plain armed forces facility just off the runway of the city of Busan's air transport hub.

It was perhaps a reflection of the significant risks that when Trump shook hands with Xi in the southern port, he appeared