"toadfrog", I'm with you about buying American, paying more if necessary.
Years ago, I was emailing & even calling Eagle Claw/Wright & McGill in Denver with suggestions on how to improve their jig hook quality - better points, tougher wire, point angles. I figured if Ultra Point, Gamakatsu, & Owner could command premium prices for better quality so could they. Instead, Eagle Claw jig hook quality declined to the point where I no longer have any use for them.
Somehow, established multi-gen USA mfg. have lost their commitment to quality and even customer satisfaction. As examples, Rosco swivels quality IMO declined from best to worst and Reading Instruments recently blatantly ripped me off. I'll post a review about Reading in case anyone is interested in mfg. level purchasing of sinker eyelets.