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Presidential journeys abroad have traditionally been an opportunity to demonstrate the strength of the US on the international platform. The president's week-long trip through Asian nations, on the other hand, has been a display of the clout of the leader – but also, at times, of that influence's boundaries.

The president's destinations in Malaysia, Japan and South Korea over the course of the opening phase were an demonstration in pleasing a sometimes volatile American president. It was an acknowledgement that the president, with the signature of a hand, could introduce duties and further steps that have the ability to damage the financial systems of export-oriented countries.

His sit-down with Beijing's head Xi on Thursday, nevertheless, was a distinct situation.

It was a meeting of peers on the global stage, where the risks for both nations – for their markets, for their global standing, for the welfare of their populations – were immense.

With China, Trump may flick his pen, but such actions come with consequences. They carry a cost.

• Trump hails 'amazing' talks with Xi but no agreement agreed
• Xi and the US leader find short-term ceasefire as Beijing plays longer game

For the first four days, the president's recent venture into international relations was uneventful.

Each stop was characterized by a blend of conventional trade negotiations – deals made under the threat of the president's "reciprocal" tariffs – and special treatment that at times bordered on the obsequious.

In Malaysia, Trump gained access to key materials and made progress toward concluding economic agreements with regional partners. He also led a treaty that should alleviate territorial disputes between Thailand and Cambodia – the sort of "peace agreement" the president prefers to promote.

In Japan, the president's helicopter flew past a landmark tower lit US flag colors – with a peak in Trumpian gold.

Newly elected Leader the Japanese leader described $550 billion in Tokyo's funding in the America and presented the American president a offering of 250 cherry trees for the United States' 250th birthday, and a golf club and carrier that was owned by former Prime Minister Abe, the killed ex-leader who developed ties with Trump in his initial presidency.

She also became the most recent international head to suggest the president for his much-desired Nobel Peace Prize.

Matching the effort, South Korea welcomed Trump with artillery discharging a traditional greeting and a military band that performed the presidential anthem and the Village People song – the band tune that has become a political gathering anthem.

Head Lee Jae Myung held an "recognition ritual" for the US leader during which he presented the US president his state's top honor and a copy of an historical royal headpiece.

Noon repast with Lee included a "Peacemaker's Dessert" of gilded baked goods. Subsequently, the hosts offered Trump premium vintage at an intimate dinner in Trump's honour with half-dozen world leaders participating in the Asia-Pacific Economic Conference meeting.

In the United States, Trump may be the subject of "Anti-Monarchy" demonstrations by the public who disapprove of his authority-expanding expansions of presidential power, but during his regional swing he was treated like monarchy.

And like the kings of history, the president came to South Korea requesting payment – in the shape of $two hundred billion in financial transfers, $20 billion a year, from Korea to the United States, to be allocated at the direction of the president's leadership. Consent on the conditions of those contributions assisted in that the duty level on host nation goods to the US would fall from 25% to under twenty percent.

The main event of the president's Asian tour took place in its final hours, nevertheless, as he encountered the Chinese leader.

In that setting, the influence relationship between leaders of the planet's biggest economic powers was decidedly distinct than the exchanges the president had with his foreign counterparts in previous days.

Not present were the usual pomp and the spectacle. Lacking military bands, no ceremonial troops, missing thoughtfully prepared dining selections celebrating bilateral friendship. By contrast, the two leaders and their key staff sat across a long white negotiating table in a plain service structure just near the airstrip of the city of Busan's air transport hub.

It was possibly a demonstration of the high stakes that when the president shook hands with the Chinese leader in the Korean city, he seemed