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American leader visits overseas have typically been an chance to display the influence of the American nation on the global scene. The president's five-day trip through East Asia, conversely, has been a demonstration of the authority of the leader – but also, at times, of that power's limitations.

Trump's destinations in Malaysia, Japan and South Korea over the duration of the initial days were an display in catering to a occasionally unpredictable president. It was an recognition that Trump, with the stroke of a pen, could introduce duties and further steps that have the ability to harm the markets of export-dependent nations.

His sit-down with Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Thursday, though, was something entirely different.

It was a encounter of equals on the global stage, where the stakes for the two powers – for their markets, for their world reputation, for the welfare of their people – were immense.

With Beijing, the president may wave his pen, but such actions involve repercussions. They involve a price.

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For the opening segment, Trump's latest entry into international relations was smooth sailing.

Each stop was punctuated by a blend of standard commercial discussions – deals made under the pressure of Trump's "equivalent" duties – and special treatment that at points approached the subservient.

In Malaysia, the president obtained access to key materials and made headway toward completing commercial deals with regional partners. He also oversaw a agreement that should alleviate frontier issues between Thailand and Cambodia – the kind of "peace deal" the president enjoys to highlight.

In the Japanese leg, Trump's helicopter passed by a Tokyo Tower illuminated US flag colors – with a top in Trumpian gold.

Freshly appointed Head Takaichi outlined $550 billion in Japanese investments in the United States and offered the US leader a offering of a quarter-thousand cherry trees for America's semiquincentennial, and a golf equipment and bag that was owned by former Prime Minister Abe, the killed ex-leader who bonded with Trump in his previous administration.

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

Not to be outdone, Korea received the president with cannons discharging a traditional greeting and a service ensemble that performed Hail to the Chief and YMCA – the band anthem that has evolved into a presidential event anthem.

Leader the Korean president held an "honour ceremony" for Trump during which he presented the US president his state's premier award and a copy of an ancient Korean dynastic crown.

Midday meal with the Korean leader featured a "Peacemaker's Dessert" of gold-encrusted baked goods. Afterward, the South Koreans provided the president fine beverage at an intimate dinner in the president's honour with half-dozen world leaders participating in the regional summit meeting.

In the America, the president may be the subject of "Anti-Monarchy" protests by Americans who reject his boundary-testing extensions of leader's control, but during his Asian visit he was received as nobility.

And like the kings of ancient times, the president came to Korea seeking tribute – in the form of $two hundred billion in cash payments, $20 billion a per year, from the host nation to the US, to be invested at the guidance of Trump's leadership. Approval on the terms of those contributions assisted in that the tariff rate on host nation exports to the United States would drop from 25% to fifteen percent.

The primary focus of Trump's regional visit took place in its final hours, though, as he encountered the Chinese leader.

In that setting, the authority balance between leaders of the global top two markets was decidedly divergent than the interactions the president had with his overseas colleagues in earlier stops.

Not present were the usual pomp and the pageantry. Lacking service ensembles, no protocol units, no meticulously designed dining selections honoring mutual national affection. Rather, the both heads and their senior advisors were seated across a large pale discussion surface in a unremarkable armed forces facility just adjacent to the landing strip of Busan's global terminal.

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