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US presidential trips internationally have historically been an chance to demonstrate the influence of the American nation on the international platform. The president's five-day tour through East Asia, by contrast, has been a demonstration of the clout of the leader – but also, at times, of that influence's constraints.

The president's destinations in Malaysia, Japan and Korea over the duration of the initial days were an demonstration in pleasing a sometimes mercurial US leader. It was an admission that Trump, with the signature of a hand, could enact duties and additional actions that have the capacity to harm the financial systems of export-oriented countries.

His sit-down with Beijing's head Xi Jinping on Thursday, nevertheless, was something entirely different.

It was a encounter of counterparts on the world platform, where the stakes for the two powers – for their financial health, for their global standing, for the well-being of their populations – were significant.

With China, the US leader may use his pen, but those steps come with ramifications. They carry a cost.

• Trump hails 'impressive' meeting with the Chinese leader but no agreement agreed
• Xi and the US leader find brief pause as Beijing plays longer game

For the initial phase, the president's most recent foray into global diplomacy was smooth sailing.

Each destination was marked by a mix of traditional commercial discussions – agreements made under the shadow of the president's "mutual" duties – and personal accommodations that at moments bordered on the deferential.

In Malaysia, Trump obtained rights to essential resources and made progress toward completing trade arrangements with regional partners. He also oversaw a pact that should ease territorial disputes between Thailand and Cambodia – the kind of "truce" the American president prefers to highlight.

In the Japanese leg, the president's helicopter soared near a famous structure illuminated red, white and blue – with a peak in Trumpian gold.

Freshly appointed Head Takaichi detailed $550bn in Japanese investments in the US and presented the American president a offering of 250 sakura trees for America's 250th anniversary, and a sports gear and case that was owned by former Prime Minister Abe, the murdered past head who connected with Trump in his first term.

She also became the newest overseas counterpart to suggest Trump for his much-desired international honor.

Keeping pace, South Korea received the president with guns firing a honor salute and a service ensemble that played Hail to the Chief and the classic tune – the Village People anthem that has evolved into a political gathering standard.

President the Korean president held an "award event" for Trump during which he presented the US president his country's highest medal and a replica of an ancient Korean dynastic crown.

Lunch with Lee included a "Diplomat's Sweet" of gold-encrusted brownies. Later that day, the South Koreans offered the president premium vintage at an exclusive gathering in the president's honour with multiple world leaders participating in the Asia-Pacific Economic Conference summit.

In the America, Trump may be the target of "Anti-Monarchy" protests by US citizens who oppose his authority-expanding expansions of leader's control, but during his regional swing he was treated like monarchy.

And like the kings of ancient times, the president visited South Korea requesting tribute – in the shape of $200 billion in financial transfers, $20 billion a annually, from the host nation to the United States, to be allocated at the direction of the president's government. Agreement on the terms of those transfers contributed to that the tax percentage on Korean products to the America would decrease from a quarter to 15%.

The main event of Trump's regional visit took place in its concluding phase, nevertheless, as he sat down with Xi.

At that location, the influence relationship between leaders of the global top two markets was noticeably different than the interactions the president had with his foreign counterparts in prior visits.

Not present were all the ceremony and the spectacle. No military bands, no honour guards, no meticulously designed meal plans honoring mutual national affection. Instead, the both heads and their senior advisors sat across a large pale negotiating table in a plain service structure just off the runway of the southern port's international airport.

It was perhaps a reflection of the significant risks that when Trump exchanged greetings with the Chinese leader in the Korean city, he seemed