You’re probably correct.
I’ll bet that Trump knows it too, and is playing along because he believes that it’s a step forward in his ultimate aim—at least his ultimate aim in regards to health care. But I’m willing to bet that he’s well aware that they’re preparing knives to try to stick in his back.
Playing Nice (in regards to game theory) does not necessarily mean being good, it just means cooperation and negotiation. It also doesn’t preclude future treachery. I believe that Trump is willing to use them for as long as they’re useful, but will drop upon them like a sledgehammer if they start playing silly buggers.
Focusing on HFC is a sideshow. If Ryan produced a bill to repeal ACA the situation would not have occurred. Ryan, and I suspect a significant number of Republicans, do not want to repeal ACA. And they want to remain concealed, so the vote was canceled. Additionally, Ryan’s roll out of the bill was inept. He never wanted to succeed.