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US presidential trips internationally have traditionally been an occasion to showcase the power of the US on the international platform. Donald Trump's week-long swing through Asian nations, conversely, has been a demonstration of the clout of the leader – but also, at points, of that influence's boundaries.

Trump's stops in Malaysia, Japan and South Korea over the span of the opening phase were an demonstration in catering to a sometimes unpredictable president. It was an admission that the leader, with the signature of a pen, could introduce taxes and further steps that have the potential to devastate the financial systems of trade-reliant countries.

His sit-down with Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Thursday, nevertheless, was a distinct situation.

It was a encounter of equals on the international scene, where the consequences for both nations – for their financial health, for their world reputation, for the prosperity of their populations – were enormous.

With Beijing, the US leader may use his power, but such actions involve repercussions. They involve a cost.

• The US president hails 'impressive' talks with Xi but no trade deal reached
• Xi and Trump find temporary truce as Beijing adopts strategic patience

For the first four days, Trump's most recent entry into world politics was successful.

Each stop was marked by a mix of standard trade negotiations – agreements made under the pressure of the president's "reciprocal" taxes – and special treatment that at moments approached the subservient.

In the Malaysian stop, Trump gained entry to critical minerals and made advances toward completing trade arrangements with ASEAN countries. He also presided over a pact that should alleviate border tensions between Thailand and Cambodia – the sort of "peace deal" the American president prefers to tout.

In Japan, Trump's Marine One flew past a famous structure illuminated red, white and blue – with a peak in Trumpian gold.

Recently chosen Head Sanai Takaichi described $550bn in Tokyo's funding in the America and gave the president a offering of 250 flowering trees for the United States' 250th anniversary, and a golf club and bag that was owned by Shinzo Abe, the murdered ex-leader who connected with Trump in his first term.

She also became the newest foreign leader to propose the president for his much-desired peace award.

Not to be outdone, South Korea welcomed the president with cannons firing a traditional greeting and a service ensemble that performed the leader's song and the classic tune – the Village People song that has evolved into a Trump rally anthem.

Leader the Korean president held an "recognition ritual" for the US leader during which he awarded the American leader his nation's premier award and a replica of an ancient Korean dynastic crown.

Noon repast with the Korean leader included a "Diplomat's Sweet" of gold-encrusted brownies. Afterward, the Koreans served the president fine beverage at an intimate dinner in the president's recognition with half-dozen global figures present at the APEC meeting.

In the US, Trump may be the subject of "Anti-Authority" demonstrations by US citizens who disapprove of his limit-pushing expansions of leader's control, but during his Asian visit he was received as nobility.

And like the kings of old, the president arrived in the Korean nation requesting tribute – in the shape of $200 billion in monetary contributions, $20 billion a year, from the host nation to the US, to be used at the discretion of the president's government. Consent on the details of those payments helped ensure that the duty level on South Korean exports to the US would drop from a quarter to fifteen percent.

The main event of the president's Asia trip took place in its concluding phase, though, as he encountered Xi.

At that location, the influence relationship between counterparts of the global top two markets was markedly divergent than the meetings the president had with his international peers in previous days.

Not present were the usual pomp and the spectacle. No armed forces orchestras, no honour guards, no thoughtfully prepared meal plans marking bilateral friendship. By contrast, the pair of counterparts and their key staff were seated across a extended light-colored meeting furniture in a plain armed forces facility just adjacent to the landing strip of Busan's international airport.

It was perhaps a reflection of the major consequences that when Trump shook hands with the Chinese leader in the Korean city, he appeared