This trend started many years ago. It has very little to do with any currrent political situations. The biggest example is the post 64 Winchester. A rifle designed strictly for lower production cost(I don't actually disagree with this as long as quality does not suffer) and ease of production. Craftsmenship was not a consideration. Speaking as someone who has been in the business I can say first hand that in many cases at the S.H.O.T. Show you see the European exhibits touting quality,while the American manufactuers focus on low cost importation. In general many companies would rather spend money on marketing than production.