There is a scene wherein Perry White is directing his staff to find out all they can about Superman. He fires off a series of questions they must find out. Chief amoung them, I'm paraphrasing- "Does he still stand for truth, justice, AND ALL THAT". Would it kill them to have PW say AND THE AMERICAN WAY?
Maybe it would kill them overseas. Movies often gross more overseas than in the US. The Superman of the 1970's with him flying triumphantly with an American flag wouldn't play today not because its too un-PC but because they want foreign audiences to relate.