In the end, where did they learn it? American companies coming to them asking for the cheapest thing they can make to sell to American consumers. To call American consumers "unsuspecting" is a little naive. I'd say we all know we're buying junk when we do so, but don't care because of the low price/convenience.
I've been converting my tools both in my garage and for my company to USA manufactured products. "Assembled in the USA from foreign components" doesn't count. I'm having a tough time finding some of the tools to do so. Pretty much can't shop at any large local retailer. Try to find a Nicholson brand file at Lowe's....Oh wait, they moved manufacturing to mexico anyway...
Sad thing is, even the stuff we make here isn't of a higher quality any more. Unless you're buying niche products and paying out the nose for them, you're likely getting the same poorly-made junk, just at a higher price.
We forgot how to manufacture goods folks. This is no accident.
The dis-assembly of America has been planned and rolling for a good long time and if it continues, we won't even have a work force skilled enough to figure out how to run a machine if we did decide to become a little more self sufficient.
Anyway, soapbox open.