US presidential trips abroad have traditionally been an opportunity to display the power of the American nation on the world stage. Donald Trump's five-day swing through eastern Asia, on the other hand, has been a display of the power of Trump - but also, at times, of that power's limitations.
Trump's stops in Malaysia, Japan, and South Korea over the course of the first four days were an exercise in pleasing a sometimes mercurial American president. It was an acknowledgement that Trump, with the flick of a pen, could impose tariffs and other measures that have the potential to devastate the economies of export-dependent nations.
His sit-down with Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Thursday, however, was something entirely different.
It was a meeting 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 flick his pen, but such actions come with consequences. They come with a cost.
For the first four days, Trump's most recent foray into global diplomacy was smooth sailing. Each stop was punctuated by a blend of traditional trade negotiations – deals made under the shadow of Trump's reciprocal tariffs – and personal accommodations that at times bordered on the obsequious. In Malaysia, Trump secured access to critical minerals and made progress toward finalising trade arrangements with south-east Asian nations.
In Japan, Trump's Marine One flew past a Tokyo Tower lit red, white and blue – with a top in Trumpian gold. Newly elected Prime Minister Sanai Takaichi detailed $550bn in Japanese investments in the US and offered the American president a gift of 250 cherry trees for America's 250th birthday.
In South Korea, military honors established a ceremonial foundation, where Trump sought both tribute and investments. The main event of Trump's Asia trip came in its final hours, however, as he met with Xi. The power dynamic between leaders of the world's two largest economies was decidedly different than the interactions Trump had with his foreign counterparts in previous days.
It was perhaps a reflection of the high stakes that when Trump shook hands with Xi in Busan, he appeared tense. For months, Trump had been threatening higher tariffs on Chinese exports to the US – as a source of revenue for the American treasury as well as to pressure China to open its markets. China's response was sharp and unwavering, targeting American vulnerabilities.
After their crucial meeting, both the US and China agreed to de-escalate their tensions, marking a fragile improvement in their relationship. While Trump returned home with the accolades of a king, the international landscape remains tenuous, as China continues to assert its influence in the region amidst America's shifting political priorities.
