Mary P, I don't understand your point - it seems a bit silly, really doesn't it? Would you rather buy a BMW or a Buick? Would you reject the BMW because it isn't American? Just beacuse something is American doesn't make it the only choice, does it? What a bizarre way of looking at things.
As for SQ - looks like posturing to get either earlier delivery slots for their additional 9 or more compensation for their additional 10, really. At the end of the day, they need aircraft of that size and the 747-8I just isn't big enough for them (or "sexy" enough for them, come to that - image is everything after all!)