The USB C is just a connector that can support multiple functions on each device. USB C cables themselves are different depending on what functionality they support. But in a major screwup, there is no labelling cables and sometimes even on devices to know what is supported. So you cannot know if you can get function X from the first device, the cable and the second device when connected together.

Let’s say your friend gives you a free monitor and you notice there is a USBC port on the back it. You also have a laptop that has a USBC port, and you also have a bunch of USBC cables. Can you answer this simple question “Can i use this monitor with the laptop via USBC as an external display?” Well, because of the complexities of USBC and how how poorly it is labelled, your average person will learn that the answer to this is not so simple.

See the history, cables and more in the post here.