It hasn’t solidified yet.
What you’re hearing is the deep fear of the Chinese. U.S nuclear weapons right on their border. This looks like a Chinese offer/demand.
I think your are correct about the fear of China on Japan and South Korea nuking up.
I also think China is realizing just how huge an economic blow cutting trade with the USA would incur on them, with hardly any real harm to us.
I know I will be flamed for that remark but the truth is that we can do without China imports much easier then they can do without our export (money). China will have riots and the military actions that will follow within their country. We will not.
Agree completely.
Art of the Deal. Everybody has to get something.
USA: Gets out of Korea, bringing our nukes with us.
ROK: Gets the 50-year project of reconstructing DPRK.
DPRK: Gets food, civililzation.
PRC: Gets a non-hostile power on the Korean peninsula and is in a better position to take Taiwan.
Win-win-win-win.
Taiwan loses. Can't make an omlet without breaking eggs.
Even still....
Eons beyond what we’ve heard before.