Apple didn't have to ask though, they fully knew they were breaking the law here. They are only backing down because of the pressure from the web community and from the DMA team starting an investigation.
The PWA issue is a completely different one.
Although what I assume is they floated removing PWAs to see if that would get users / communities on their side.
It might have worked if PWA support was first class rather than half abandoned.
Removing PWA support goes against both these obligations.