Starbucks is coming under pressure over new branches in Xinjiang

The US coffee chain Starbucks opened two cafés in the Chinese region of Xinjiang last week - and is now coming under political pressure for doing so. The chairman of the China special committee in the US House of Representatives, John Moolenaar, called on the company to close its stores again in view of the oppression of the Uyghurs. The Republican described the opening as “shocking and morally bankrupt.”

"Starbucks should immediately change course and close its stores in Xinjiang," Moolenaar wrote in a statement. With every cup sold there, a well-known American brand is linked to the Communist Party's brutal crackdown on the Uyghurs.

The two branches in question are located in the regional capital Ürümqi. One is at the Grand Bazaar and one is at the international airport.

Other companies have also come under political pressure due to the dispute over Xinjiang. Volkswagen ended its controversial presence in the Chinese Uighur region in 2024. The car manufacturer was criticized for years because of its plant there. Conversely, H&M and Adidas became the target of boycott calls in China in 2021 after raising concerns about possible forced labor in Xinjiang.

Starbucks is closing 250 stores in North America

It was recently announced that the US coffee company wants to close 250 unprofitable branches. The measure is part of the company's restructuring and affects around one percent of the approximately 18,000 locations in North America. The company expects restructuring costs of around $300 million.