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US presidential trips overseas have historically been an occasion to showcase the strength of the American nation on the international platform. Donald Trump's week-long swing through eastern Asia, conversely, has been a display of the clout of the president – but also, at moments, of that authority's boundaries.

Trump's stops in Malaysia, Japan and Korea over the span of the first four days were an display in catering to a sometimes mercurial American president. It was an acknowledgement that Trump, with the flick of a document, could introduce taxes and additional actions that have the capacity to damage the economies of trade-reliant nations.

His sit-down with Chinese leader Xi on the final day, nevertheless, was something entirely different.

It was a session of equals on the global stage, where the stakes for both nations – for their economies, for their international prestige, for the welfare of their people – were enormous.

With China, Trump may use his authority, but these moves entail consequences. They involve a price.

• The US president hails 'impressive' encounter with the Chinese leader but no pact reached
• The Chinese president and Trump reach short-term ceasefire as Beijing plays longer game

For the first four days, the president's latest entry into global diplomacy was smooth sailing.

Each destination was punctuated by a mix of traditional commercial discussions – deals made under the threat of Trump's "reciprocal" duties – and personal accommodations that at moments verged on the subservient.

In Malaysia, Trump obtained rights to key materials and made progress toward concluding trade arrangements with south-east Asian nations. He also led a pact that should alleviate border tensions between Thailand and Cambodia – the sort of "peace agreement" the American president loves to highlight.

In Japan, the president's helicopter passed by a famous structure lit US flag colors – with a top in Trumpian gold.

Newly elected Prime Minister Sanai Takaichi detailed $half-trillion in Tokyo's funding in the America and offered the president a offering of a quarter-thousand sakura trees for the United States' semiquincentennial, and a golf equipment and bag that came from the late leader, the assassinated ex-leader who connected with Trump in his previous administration.

She also became the most recent overseas counterpart to suggest Trump for his long-sought international honor.

Keeping pace, Korea welcomed Trump with cannons discharging a traditional greeting and a military band that performed the leader's song and the classic tune – the musical group anthem that has become a Trump rally standard.

President Lee held an "award event" for Trump during which he gave the US president his country's top honor and a copy of an ancient Korean dynastic crown.

Noon repast with Lee contained a "Peacemaker's Dessert" of gold-encrusted brownies. Afterward, the South Koreans offered Trump vineyard wine at an intimate dinner in the president's honor with six global figures present at the APEC conference.

In the United States, the president may be the focus of "Anti-Authority" demonstrations by US citizens who oppose his boundary-testing extensions of executive authority, but during his regional visit he was received as nobility.

And like the rulers of old, Trump came to South Korea demanding tribute – in the form of $200 billion in cash payments, $20bn a annually, from South Korea to the United States, to be used at the guidance of the president's administration. Approval on the details of those payments contributed to that the duty level on host nation goods to the United States would drop from twenty-five percent to 15%.

The central moment of Trump's Asia trip took place in its final hours, though, as he met with the Chinese leader.

There, the influence relationship between counterparts of the planet's biggest economic powers was markedly distinct than the meetings the president had with his overseas colleagues in earlier stops.

Absent were typical pomp and the spectacle. Without any military bands, absent protocol units, missing thoughtfully prepared meal plans marking mutual national affection. Rather, the both heads and their top aides sat across a long white negotiating table in a unremarkable armed forces facility just adjacent to the landing strip of the city of Busan's international airport.

It was likely a indication of the high stakes that when the president shook hands with Xi in the southern port, he looked