There’s a number of products I get off Aliexpress that simply aren’t available in the US. Namely braided fishing lines meant for the Japanese market. They come in high vis colors and are thinner and stronger than products available Stateside. Berkeley has a somewhat similar product, but the color fades or isn’t available in similar colors, it’s thicker and less strong. It’s not just a cost issue.
I’m just replying to the “quality and cost” part of your post, which are inherently paired. Yes some products just don’t exist being made in the US, but if the store has a product that costs twice as much made domestically sitting next to a foreign product of the same or close enough quality, the price alone will dictate which they choose. This is often why domestically made versions of products aren’t available without a special order (which is even more expensive) and where tariffs are supposed to be used.
There’s a number of products I get off Aliexpress that simply aren’t available in the US. Namely braided fishing lines meant for the Japanese market. They come in high vis colors and are thinner and stronger than products available Stateside. Berkeley has a somewhat similar product, but the color fades or isn’t available in similar colors, it’s thicker and less strong. It’s not just a cost issue.
I’m just replying to the “quality and cost” part of your post, which are inherently paired. Yes some products just don’t exist being made in the US, but if the store has a product that costs twice as much made domestically sitting next to a foreign product of the same or close enough quality, the price alone will dictate which they choose. This is often why domestically made versions of products aren’t available without a special order (which is even more expensive) and where tariffs are supposed to be used.
often times the “American made” product will just have worse quality and cost more