The US President's East Asia Visit Features Deals, Knee-Bending and a Significant Closing Encounter

Presidential journeys overseas have typically been an chance to display the influence of the American nation on the world stage. Donald Trump's multi-day tour through East Asia, conversely, has been a display of the authority of the leader – but also, at times, of that authority's constraints.

The president's stops in Malaysia, Japan and South Korea over the course of the initial days were an demonstration in satisfying a occasionally volatile US leader. It was an recognition that the leader, with the signature of a hand, could introduce duties and further steps that have the potential to devastate the economies of export-oriented countries.

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

It was a meeting of peers on the world platform, where the stakes for each country – for their economies, for their international prestige, for the welfare of their citizens – were immense.

With the Chinese, Trump may wave his power, but these moves involve ramifications. They carry a price.

• The US president praises 'remarkable' meeting with Xi but no agreement reached
• Xi and the US leader reach temporary truce as Beijing adopts strategic patience

For the initial phase, Trump's recent venture into world politics was smooth sailing.

Each stop was characterized by a mix of traditional commercial discussions – arrangements made under the pressure of Trump's "equivalent" duties – and special treatment that at times approached the subservient.

In Malaysia, Trump gained rights to key materials and made progress toward completing economic agreements with south-east Asian nations. He also presided over a pact that should ease border tensions between Thailand and Cambodia – the type of "truce" the American president loves to highlight.

In Japan, the president's helicopter flew past a landmark tower lit American colors – with a peak in golden.

Newly elected Head Sanai Takaichi outlined $half-trillion in Japan's financial commitments in the America and offered the American president a offering of 250 sakura trees for America's 250th anniversary, and a golf equipment 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 international head to suggest Trump for his much-desired international honor.

Not to be outdone, South Korea received the president with artillery firing a honor salute and a armed forces orchestra that performed the presidential anthem and YMCA – the band tune that has evolved into a Trump rally standard.

President Lee held an "honour ceremony" for the US leader during which he presented the president his country's premier award and a model of an traditional ruler's coronet.

Noon repast with the Korean leader included a "Conciliatory Treat" of gilded chocolate squares. Later that day, the hosts served Trump premium vintage at an private meal in the president's honour with six global figures participating in the APEC conference.

In the US, Trump may be the focus of "Anti-Authority" protests by the public who oppose his boundary-testing extensions of presidential power, but during his regional swing he was handled as monarchy.

And like the rulers of history, Trump visited South Korea demanding contribution – in the shape of $200 billion in financial transfers, $20bn a per year, from the host nation to the America, to be used at the direction of Trump's government. Approval on the terms of those payments helped ensure that the tax percentage on Korean exports to the US would fall from twenty-five percent to under twenty percent.

The main event of Trump's Asian tour came in its final hours, though, as he sat down with the Chinese leader.

In that setting, the authority balance between leaders of the global top two markets was decidedly divergent than the exchanges Trump had with his international peers in earlier stops.

Missing were the usual pomp and the pageantry. No armed forces orchestras, absent honour guards, without thoughtfully prepared menus celebrating bilateral friendship. By contrast, the two leaders and their key staff positioned themselves across a long white negotiating table in a plain military building just near the airstrip of Busan's air transport hub.

It was possibly a indication of the significant risks that when Trump shook hands with Xi in Busan, he seemed