Why don't you go on Gunbroker right now and find me an ass load of Chinese AKs and Russian AKs, Izhmash stamped AK and not a converted Saiga or a US manufactured AK.
Yes several "were" imported but they aren't being imported anymore and as such they are not easily spotted on the market. I know very well what is available in the US, probably better than you and I find it very amusing that you consistently post your assumptions rather than facts.
Did I say ass load? No. I simply refuted your assertion that the only thing the US has AK wise in quantity is Romanian parts kits, which is BS.
I just did a search for "Chinese ak" on GB, and 13 semi auto versions popped up, all legit, complete, matching Chinese AK. That is more Chinese AK than AR180b, Robinson Arms M96, and even Romanian SKS available on GB right now. Actually, there are more Chinese AK on GB right now than Valmet M78. All of which by your assessment should be more common, given that the US only has Romanian parts kit AKs available.
And then there are the Russian VEPRs that are available.
And the Saiga brand guns.
And the Egyptian parts kits.
And the Yugo parts kits.
And the Valmets.
And the Galil parts kits.
And so on, and so on. Hey, you should really go check out the DDI stuff, you know, Destructive Devices Industries line of guns. Fantastic, brand new AKs. "All our firearms are built in house utilizing our own receivers, scope rails and FCG retainer plates. Our barrels are made to our exacting specifications by Green Mountain...." And that is just one US company making brand new from the ground up AKs...
Or the Kalashnikov licenced versions over at Kalashnikov USA.
Even Century Arms is making 100% American made, American parts, AKs. Not kit builds.
But hey, what do I know.