IIRC the last time Apple was forced to switch to USB in Europe they just included an adaptor in the box.

Ironically, as I understand it, Apple was a major contributor to, and advocate for, USB C in the first place! If USB C (especially USB C + Thunderbolt) had existed at the time then Lightning probably wouldn't exist.

I wouldn't be surprised if Apple already had plans to migrate its entire product line to USB C by 2024.

Be that as it may, I have a lot of lightning cables and I like being able to charge my AirPods/trackpad/keyboard/iPhone with them. The automatic bluetooth pairing, which I assume is a software feature (PS5 and Switch also have it with USB C) is also something that every device should have.