While Apple has technically permitted third party browser engines in the EU, they have made it so onerous and expensive that no company is likely to build one. Apple remains the gatekeeper and will likely deny any builds for many years while they abuse the EU courts in delay tactics.
The EU has been fumbling the application of the Digital Markets Act. They have been sitting on a judgement of non-compliance regarding third party stores for literally years now. By now they could have moved to forced compliance and huge fines. It's not clear if there is some kind of hidden diplomacy happening, a desire to not anger Trump, or sheer incompetence. Either way, I have lost hope that the EU bureaucratic engine will ever do anything to help ordinary people. Their only function now appears to hurt the very weakest in society, because they can't fight back.
-angry Dane