> As an explanation, there are two different things called "Apple Pay" in the US. One is the use of the secure element/wallet in an iPhone/watch to store an EMV card that is tokenized. The other is the Apple branded credit card issued by Goldman Sachs.

You're incorrect about the 2nd. The 2nd "thing" is called Apple Card - most people know the difference.

I haven't been refused Apple Pay (ie, EMV) almost anywhere in the US unless that place simply only accepts cash.