Earlier quoted context omitted.
Yes, and when it isn't is a very specific very limited case that has no relation to the one being discussed. The fact that some course of action was previously mentioned in a reasoning trace, or any other context, makes it more likely to be performed. It has nothing to do with the reason that it was mentioned in the reasoning trace.
I don't think it's that limited of a case. And it's not "no relation", it was brought up as an attempt to fix/subset the original claim.
No, it's just warding off pedantry. There is one way that reasoning traces might "be the reason" something happens, but that's different from the reasoning trace saying why something happens, which was the question.