Once we get your requirements and specifications, we start shopping. Once we have determined that a product matches your specifications the next big questions are Price and Availability. We always shop the US market place first. Then we look at the global marketplace, MFN nations first.
It is unfortunate that COVID-19 has done a lot of damage to the US market place. Major supply line issues are compounded by workplace issues. Major US suppliers have lead times up to 18 months on some items.
Traditionally, The US market place provided good quality products relativity quickly and foreign markets provided reasonable quality products at very good prices. Shipping and import costs would normally balance the price equation and adds time to the delivery leg. However, at this time we are able to get many products out of Asia faster than equivalent US products and significantly cheaper, even with shipping and tariffs.