But the only reason the popups are needed is the adtech tracking cookies. You don't need a popup for cookies that are related to essential site functionality.

There are absolutely valid reasons for users to opt-in to tracking/data collection.

EU is first and foremost a capitalist economy which nevertheless tries to protect people from abuse. Who are they to forbid someone to collect data, and to someone to provide this data? Even things like quality surveys are collecting personal data.

However, adtech and tracking (also capitalists, (un)ironically) ruined everything for it for everyone.