Starbucks is under political pressure in the USA over Xinjiang branches

The US coffee chain Starbucks is coming under political pressure because of its first branches in the Chinese region of Xinjiang. 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 said 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.

Starbucks opened two cafes in the regional capital Urumqi on Tuesday: one at the Grand Bazaar and another at the international airport.

Criticism of the human rights situation

Many members of the predominantly Muslim Uighur minority live in Xinjiang. Human rights organizations accuse the Chinese government of oppressing this minority. Beijing rejects the allegations.

Starbucks sold 60 percent of its branch business in China to the Chinese financial investor Boyu Capital in the spring. The remaining 40 percent still belongs to Starbucks.

Companies are repeatedly coming under pressure from both sides in the dispute over Xinjiang. Volkswagen was criticized for years because of its plant there. At the end of 2024, the location operated jointly with SAIC was sold. Conversely, H&M and Adidas became the target of boycott calls in China in 2021 after raising concerns about possible forced labor in Xinjiang.