Commentary: As sanctions punish Russia for Ukraine invasion, local boycotts miss their intended target

Bloustein School faculty fellow and Co-Director of the Center for Negotiation and Conflict Resolution Linda Stamato writes how boycotts focusing on local franchises with apparent Russian connections — to show solidarity with the people of Ukraine and its leadership — may have unintended consequences. The intention is to isolate Russia, limit its access to markets and finance, and hurt its future prospects. Instead, these boycotts are missing the intended target and instead are hurting Americans, local people who bought franchises in the days when the U.S. and Europe were trying to move toward a world in which global trade would make war increasingly unlikely.

Morristown Green, March 9, 2022