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US presidential trips internationally have historically been an chance to showcase the strength of the US on the global scene. Donald Trump's five-day swing through Asian nations, on the other hand, has been a display of the power of Trump – but also, at points, of that authority's limitations.

The president's stops in Malaysia, Japan and South Korea over the duration of the first four days were an demonstration in pleasing a at times unpredictable American president. It was an acknowledgement that the leader, with the signature of a document, could enact duties and further steps that have the capacity to damage the financial systems of trade-reliant states.

His sit-down with China's president Xi Jinping on the final day, nevertheless, was a completely different scenario.

It was a meeting of equals on the international scene, where the risks for both nations – for their economies, for their world reputation, for the well-being of their citizens – were immense.

With the Chinese, Trump may flick his power, but these moves involve repercussions. They involve a cost.

• Trump hails 'amazing' talks with Xi but no pact agreed
• The Chinese president and the US leader find short-term ceasefire as China pursues extended strategy

For the first four days, Trump's most recent foray into global diplomacy was successful.

Each stop was punctuated by a mix of traditional commercial discussions – deals made under the shadow of Trump's "mutual" tariffs – and personal accommodations that at moments bordered on the obsequious.

In the Malaysian stop, the president secured entry to essential resources and made progress toward finalizing commercial deals with regional partners. He also led a agreement that should alleviate territorial disputes between Thailand and Cambodia – the sort of "peace agreement" the US leader loves to highlight.

In the Japanese leg, Trump's helicopter flew past a Tokyo Tower lit American colors – with a top in Trumpian gold.

Freshly appointed Prime Minister the Japanese leader described $half-trillion in Japanese investments in the United States and gave the president a offering of a quarter-thousand flowering trees for the United States' 250th birthday, and a sports gear and carrier that was owned by Shinzo Abe, the murdered ex-leader who developed ties with Trump in his first term.

She also became the latest international head to suggest the president for his much-desired peace award.

Not to be outdone, Korea received Trump with cannons performing a honor salute and a military band that rendered the leader's song and the Village People song – the band anthem that has turned into a Trump rally anthem.

Leader Lee Jae Myung held an "recognition ritual" for Trump during which he presented the US president his state's premier award and a replica of an ancient Korean dynastic crown.

Noon repast with the Korean leader included a "Peacemaker's Dessert" of gold-covered baked goods. Later that day, the hosts offered Trump premium vintage at an intimate dinner in the president's recognition with half-dozen international heads attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Conference summit.

In the America, Trump may be the focus of "No Kings" demonstrations by the public who disapprove of his limit-pushing increases of executive authority, but during his Asian tour he was treated like royalty.

And like the rulers of old, Trump arrived in the Korean nation seeking tribute – in the form of $200 billion in financial transfers, $20 billion a per year, from Korea to the America, to be invested at the discretion of Trump's administration. Agreement on the details of those payments contributed to that the duty level on Korean products to the America would fall from a quarter to under twenty percent.

The main event of Trump's Asia trip took place in its last moments, nevertheless, as he encountered Xi.

In that setting, the authority balance between heads of the planet's biggest economic powers was decidedly divergent than the exchanges the president had with his foreign counterparts in previous days.

Absent were typical ceremony and the pageantry. No military bands, without ceremonial troops, missing meticulously designed menus marking mutual national affection. Instead, the two leaders and their senior advisors positioned themselves across a long white discussion surface in a nondescript armed forces facility just off the runway of the city of Busan's international airport.

It was likely a indication of the major consequences that when Trump shook hands with the Chinese leader in the southern port, he looked