The Italians strike too (one of the first words I learned in Italy was 'fare lo sciopero'). But they whine less. You may not like our president but at least he has the cojones to stick by his convictions and tell rogue states where to go. The last guy just rolled over and appeased everyone from North Korea to the Sudan.
As for Mavics, I agree 100% they are great wheels. I have a pair now that are 10 years old and they still show no signs of aging. But they are still French and having also spent time in France I am even more convinced that they tend to be very contrary, i.e. they'll generally contradict the US just to spite. That's why I no longer buy their products.