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Starbucks' immoral stance might have consequences

Gemeda Humnasa of American Chronicle warns that Starbucks’ refusal to accept Ethiopia’s ownership of its own coffee names will have consequences.

“There are many factors contributing to Ethiopia’s inability to remove poverty including costly wars, dry weather, unfair international trade barriers and subsidized corresponding sectors in other well-off nations” Gemeda said. I add absence of democracy and human rights abuses to the list.

Gemeda continues, “But Starbucks’ refusal to allow Ethiopia to control the three names of its coffees might end up hurting the reputation of the company as well as spark activists against globalization & “Trade Injustice” around the world.

This current case might add new recruits to their cause, which is a new development that can escalate quickly and become a concern for many other international corporations. “Trade Injustice” is one of the various issues organizations like CORPWATCH monitor in order to help poor nations stand up against unfair international corporations. But so far, nothing has worked to change and improve the policies of Starbucks.”

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