Not necessarily. And honestly, their tech and abilities seem to be getting much better over the last decade. Like you said, politics aside, it is a bit hypocritical to refuse to buy a rifle scope made in china, when most of their other shooting/hunting/rifle accessories were made in China, as well as 90% of the shit in our houses were made, or have parts that were made in China in them.
I hate that country as much as everyone else, but at least I'm not trying to pretend that our own government is any better or morally superior, or that I'm morally superior, while typing on a computer that was most definitely either made, or has parts made in China in it, and use an iPhone everyday that was made in China, and watch a TV that was made in China, etc... Anyone with eyes can see just how morally bankrupt and evil our own government actually has become (both sides Dem & Rep), and if it weren't for our Constitution and the 2nd Amendment and the sheer numbers of guns and ammo independently owned, we WOULD be China right now, because the Democrats have outright said they want to enslave us, and most of them support killing half of us. Facts are facts.
We The People are ONLY dependent on China, because many many decades ago, our government officials and billionaires and industry moguls comprised backroom trade deals for cheap labor with China, out of pure greed, and have made us (and the rest of the world) nearly completely dependent on them as a source of cheap labor and products ever since.
If an American company, produced American-made scopes, from American made parts, with the robust construction, turrets, and features of the Arkens, and used ED glass for $750-$1000, and had a lifetime warranty, tracking guarantee, and excellent customer service, I'd choose them any day of the week.