Listen, you guys can argue semantics all you want. Here you go... YOU WIN! You're right, it's all the same.
Nothing is black and white. Pretty much all manufacturers have parts or components that are not made in the USA. I work for a "DOMESTIC" manufacturer, and I can say that we have parts and pieces that we import.
You can define it how you will. You can argue that something IS, or ISN'T made somewhere else.
MY definition, and MY definition ONLY, not NAFTA, or BUY AMERICAN ACT, or anything else is where the the base components of the product are manufactured. In the case of our products, we cast the bronze and we cast the ductile iron that makes up our valves. We create the copper fittings, and plastic fittings out of raw materials. We take something that is nothing and CREATE a product.
In the case of a fishing rod, my definition would have to be, "what is the heart of the rod?" I believe most people would say it is the blank. If the rod manufacturer rolls the graphite around a mandrel in house, then applies the guides and handle to them in house, then the product is US, regardless of where the guides or handle comes from. They may be US, they may not be.
If the rod maker IMPORTS a blank from overseas, and then finishes the rod by simply attaching guides and a handle to it... well...it's your call. To me, it is where the heart of the product is actually produced. In this case, the blank is made overseas. The guides and handle may or may not be made overseas. Is it "Made in the USA" just because some low wager worker put it together? If you feel good about it, then more power to you.
So there you go. Justify all you want to your hearts content. I certainly won't say you're wrong. But for myself, I know that when I pick up a G Loomis rod, no matter what it is, I could feel good knowing that someone just up the road actually created the heart of the rod from scratch, and then someone else up the road added the pieces, then a local wrapped it, and a local finished it and put it in the packaging.
All this being said, it doesn't take anything away from rods not "made in the USA". They may perform to expectations, or even exceed expectations. It doesn't make the bad, or lessen them. As a perfect example would be the Berkley 15-50 IM7 rod. For $50 on sale it has got to be one of the best all around price point rods ever made (in my opinion) It looks good (the old ones looked better than the new ones and had better butts on the handles though) performs well, and everyone can catch great fish on them.
So there you go.
And of course, you can ask about whatever product you want to ask about, that way the question can answered the way you want it to be answered.