Sireland, I've often cussed the influx of foreign made parts because of the inferior quality. You may be right about why I've had so many stems fail.
Yesterday I was having a lot of problems with rib-shanked nails that I was attaching house trim with. They constantly bent on me because they were so soft. When I checked I saw they were made in China. I even tried pre-drilling holes and couldn't keep them from bending.
I realize that a lot of stuff made in the U.S. is crap nowadays too but it's getting really hard to find anything made here anymore regardless of quality.