I think this idea is incredibly short-sighted. Let's think of an alternative where browser are forced to even the playing field: the browser either presents us

I think this idea is incredibly short-sighted. Let's think of an alternative where browser are forced to even the playing field: the browser either presents users with a list of search engines in random order, or perhaps it even chooses a random default. You'd see a world where search engines can run ads that say "click this easy button/download our app/do this really easy thing" to use our search engine. You would also see smaller search engines being able to get on the Safari search engine list instead of just the ones that can pay Apple what I assume are huge fees. Let's not forget that iOS and iPadOS commands a huge share of the most affluent customers who would be most willing to use paid search engines. But in the status quo even those willing to do so will find Apple's platforms to be less than accomodating.