Not really the U.S. Military-Industrial Complex is wasteful, Not productive. They would lead you to believe it benefits the economy, but in reality, it drains resources away from productive sectors like infrastructure, education, and technology.
$800+ billion per year is spent on military hardware, bases, and war, not on improving American lives.
The U.S. military's spending is not even efficient, trillions have been wasted in failed wars (Iraq, Afghanistan, etc.).
You say: "America has the world's largest road network" but many roads, bridges, and public transit systems are collapsing.
The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) gives U.S. infrastructure a C- rating
www.asce.org
Meanwhile, China builds high-speed rail, new highways, and modern cities at a rapid pace.
You cite “two of the world’s busiest airports” and cruise ports but that does NOT reflect overall infrastructure quality.
America’s train system is decades behind Europe and China. Many American cities lack proper public transportation, forcing car dependency.
China’s cities are modernizing while American cities like Detroit and Baltimore are falling apart. Having a busy airport means nothing if the roads and bridges leading to it are collapsing.
America's wealth is an illusion and ticking time bomb. U.S. Economic Strength is Built on Debt. The U.S. national debt is over $34 trillion, it keeps borrowing to fund its military while neglecting domestic needs.
That's another major difference between the US and China. China’s economy is built on tangible productivity; America relies on financial speculation and debt.