It's not anecdotal and I agree with you: some things are better and some aren't.
Perhaps there were a time in the past (of my boss's life) where made in USA weren't as good as it promised/advertised thus giving way to made in China.
When I grew up in the late 70's and the 80's, a lot of US made stuff seemed to be crap. I think that part or most of the stuff now made in the US is more quality, because it's much more difficult to make cheap stuff and compete with China.
Perhaps there were a time in the past (of my boss's life) where made in USA weren't as good as it promised/advertised thus giving way to made in China.