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> at least weary of China if not openly hostile

Given the latter half, I think that's *wary (cautious) rather than 'weary' (fatigued, fed up)?

I'm not American, but something I've noticed on YouTube is that 'import' is a euphemism for 'Chinese crap' - probably more prevalent because there's more of a US manufacturing base to begin with, but the funny thing is when it's imported from somewhere else that's respected it's a German tool, or Japanese for example, but 'import' seems to mean 'imported from China', heh.

(I'm not claiming I'm above it nor offended by it, just caught my attention because 'import' isn't an adjective to me and the usage amused me. It wouldn't really catch on in the UK I don't think, because so much is 'import' to begin with, whether Chinese or not.)



Watch back to the future. Doc brown from the 50s "no wonder it broke it's all from Japan". Marty from 85 says "what do you mean all the best stuff comes from Japan".

I remember when Vizio made garbage tvs. This is more of a delayed and earned reputation thing. Also product market fit.


(as if I haven't seen it..!)

Sure, I'm absolutely not saying nothing good's made in China nor especially that that couldn't change. Just noticing others' usage/implication.


As an anecdote in the 90s and 00s "import" cars usually meant Japanese cars, especially ones not available on the US market. This wasn't really a negative connotation, and there was a whole scene for high performance "import tuners". Just interesting to your point that in context "import" implies a specific country.


In years past, Japanese import was considered synonymous with cheap crap. That reputation changed over time, eventually becoming associated with high quality. Chinese imports now having that reputation doesn't really have much to do with how Americans feel about the Chinese government.




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