On a Macbook Air, maybe, but they can definitely fit one on a 16" device.

While sacrificing something else. Battery, speakers, thermal management, or aesthetics would have to traded off for USB A to be included. Not worth it for an outdated port whose function can be duplicated by an inexpensive adapter.

Again, on a small device, yes every mm matters. On a 16" devices, the slightly bigger connector isn't going to make a difference.