what it was about
I have seen the commercial and I must confess that I can't recall the product. I am almost certain it involve business funding, perhaps American Express.
The product is important because it is no different than the commercial that urges you to buy a big plasma TV in ways that presume you have no choice in the matter. That is the business of advertising and reasonable people will make reasonable decisions as to what they can afford.
My take on the cultural aspect was to see the asian guy as the brains of the operation and the American as the muscle.
Being an asiaphile may affect my perception.