Seattle mayor reverses Starbucks boycott after criticism

Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson has reversed her previous call for a boycott of Starbucks, acknowledging that her comments caused more harm than good. The reversal comes amid growing scrutiny of the city's business climate and as the coffee giant proceeds with a major expansion outside Washington state.

In a recent interview, Wilson stated that her earlier remarks encouraging residents not to patronize Starbucks were not productive. The mayor, who took office in January, had made the comments last fall while joining a barista union rally. Her acknowledgment follows Starbucks' announcement of a new corporate hub in Nashville, Tennessee, a project expected to create space for up to 2,000 employees. The company has stated it will maintain its global headquarters in Seattle.

The episode has intensified a debate over the city's economic direction and its relationship with major employers. Councilmember Rob Saka, a fellow Democrat, expressed grave concern about business flight, calling the issue real. The discussion occurs alongside the implementation of a new state tax on high earners, which was signed into law earlier this year. Proponents view it as a necessary revenue measure, while...