They're reliable, but would you really trust them?

I think there's a bit of nuance there to differentiate the 2 though.

Maybe I'm jaded from working with overseas factories though in ways others wouldn't be.

So not really a good comparison

When you have the design it takes away alot of the need to even reverse engineer in the first place

Trust implies shared values/worldview and past experiences where outcomes match expectations. Also respect.

Trust is not possible when there are regularly incongruous outcomes, or where definition of respect / values are just aren't aligned.

Do you think your counterparts overseas believe themselves to be as trustable as you are, and it's just a cultural rift? Or is that too charitable?