Electrical question:

I agree. But that isn't the only issue. The issue is what is or is not permitted under the NEC. You are talking about eqpt that would be plugged into a receptacle. And on that, NEC is clear, it's 15A minimum. Also, all those devices have internal fusing to limit the current if a fault occurs.

I'm sure the UL Listed stuff does.  The rest of the import crap, we can only hope.

For example, around the turn of the century there were some cheap plastic surge suppressor power strips that would catch fire.  The manufacturer tried to obfuscate the issue but the fires were actually caused by the MOV's failure (thermal runaway).

If there was some problem with imported devices not meeting UL and starting fires, with the billions of them out there, we should have seen it.

Yes, 20 years ago. More recently they had those scooter things with batteries that were catching fire. But of all the billions of widgets, it's obviously an very insignificant percentage. And no evidence that if you had a 10a breaker instead of a 15a, it would have made any difference. It's silly anyway, I don't want breakers tripping, 15A works for me.

You do not understand how the electrical code in the US works. It is not designed to protect the equipment, it is designed to protect the wiring in most cases.

Each individual device should be fused and other wise self protected. I say should because there is lots of cheep crap out that does not meet any decent requuirements or standards.

Absolutely true. The NEC really stops at the receptacle face. From there we depend on a NRTL like TUV or U/L to protect the equipment.

Such things are fused locally. Use a powerstrip with a 5a breaker. Things like pumps have local panels with a small breaker. You just don't put the 5a breaker in the main breaker box.