My guess would be that Apple is trying to blackmail some large software company inside the EU. And after careful consideration, they noticed that threatening to wipe all of their apps data of all Apple devices will do.

If my theory is correct, we will soon see a large EU software company - which deployed PWAs in the past - mysteriously start supporting Apple in their refusal to open up to alternative App Stores in the EU.

They will talk about security and user choice, while completely ignoring that the EU is merely asking Apple to treat them as well as China. In China, Apple has already been allowing 3rd party app stores for some years.

For what it's worth, I used to be a proud Apple user. But recently, I can't help but imagine the financial incentives behind their every move.