Folks, remember way back when, when Eastern-Bloc appliances and cars (the "Hugo") were crap... and we in the west were envied? Well, guess what. We've now gone full circle, and the EPA has created a situation where our products are every bit the equal of those Eastern-Bloc products.
Actually, things have reversed. The GE washer I have now is sold internationally. I have read reviews from France and South Africa.
In 2005, I was visiting friends in New Zealand and needed to use their washer and dryer. Tiny little things, front loader washer, belt driven, would take a load of 2 pairs of jeans, 2 T-shirts and 2 sets of underwear at one time. Yet, that country also makes the best top loader in the world, although it is also extremely expensive for what it is.