Apologies to the OP for digressing from the main topic but I want to share my opinion on the issue raised by @millercarbon. I also used to be of the opinion that we should buy a product that offers the best value regardless of the country of origin. But in the last 2-3 years, due to the nature of my work working with several clients, I have come to witness the shady nature of the Chinese government. Unlike @millercarbon, my beef is not due to the nature of labor laws and conditions in China, as frankly that is mostly based on rhetoric that might have had some truth to it a decade ago.
The Chinese government brazenly enters the markets in many countries, but goes out of its way to block access to the local Chinese market. It encourages dumping, IP violations, and unethical manipulation that makes it almost impossible for foreign companies to operate in a level playing field. It will be hypocritical of me to say that I will never buy chinese products, because in most cases I don't really have a choice. But I do look for alternatives whenever I can.
The Chinese government brazenly enters the markets in many countries, but goes out of its way to block access to the local Chinese market. It encourages dumping, IP violations, and unethical manipulation that makes it almost impossible for foreign companies to operate in a level playing field. It will be hypocritical of me to say that I will never buy chinese products, because in most cases I don't really have a choice. But I do look for alternatives whenever I can.