As Luckin expands globally, can China’s coffee brand succeed where its soft power has struggled?

China’s coffee boom is helping Luckin overtake Starbucks, with its low prices, app-based convenience and local flavours driving rapid growth. The shift reflects China’s broader rise in consumer brands, though its soft power remains limited by digital isolation. Luckin’s global expansion could test whether a Chinese brand can become aspirational worldwide without directly promoting Chinese culture.