Trump says Coke will use cane sugar in the US

President Donald Trump has stirred fresh debate in the American food and beverage industry with a surprise announcement that Coca-Cola will begin using real cane sugar — rather than high-fructose corn syrup — in its flagship US soft drink. The claim, made on his Truth Social platform, has not yet been confirmed by the Atlanta-based beverage giant.

“I have been speaking to Coca-Cola about using REAL Cane Sugar in Coke in the United States, and they have agreed to do so,” Trump wrote. “This will be a very good move by them — You’ll see. It’s just better!”

The post instantly ignited chatter online and in markets, touching nerves in the beverage world, the agriculture sector, and among health policy observers. Trump, who returned to the White House earlier this year, did not clarify how or when the change would take place — nor whether it would affect all Coca-Cola Classic production or only select offerings.

Coca-Cola responded cautiously. “We appreciate President Trump’s enthusiasm for our iconic Coca-Cola brand. More details on new innovative offerings within our Coca-Cola product range will be shared soon,” the company said in a brief statement. It did not confirm any switch to cane sugar in its US formula.

The US version of Coca-Cola has been sweetened with high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) since the 1980s, a result of economic and trade policies that subsidised domestic corn and imposed tariffs on imported sugar. HFCS offered a cheaper and more stable alternative to cane sugar, and its use expanded widely across American food manufacturing.

Health advocates, including Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., have repeatedly criticised HFCS, blaming it for contributing to rising obesity and diabetes rates. “High-fructose corn syrup is everywhere,” Kennedy said earlier this year, backing the “Make America Healthy Again” initiative — a movement aimed at cutting processed sugars and additives from the American diet.

While science remains mixed, with many studies showing little to no health difference between cane sugar and HFCS when consumed in equivalent amounts, perception plays a big role. Cane sugar is often seen as a more “natural” ingredient, and Mexican Coca-Cola — which uses it — is prized by many consumers in the US for its “cleaner” taste. Glass bottles of so-called “Mexican Coke” have been imported and sold in US markets since 2005, often at a premium.

Not everyone is sweet on the idea. The Corn Refiners Association swiftly issued a strong statement opposing any shift away from HFCS, warning of severe consequences for the domestic agricultural economy.

“Replacing high-fructose corn syrup with cane sugar doesn’t make sense,” said John Bode, the group’s president and CEO. “President Trump stands for American manufacturing jobs, American farmers, and reducing the trade deficit. Replacing HFCS with cane sugar would cost thousands of American food manufacturing jobs, depress farm income, and boost imports of foreign sugar, all with no nutritional benefit.”

US cane sugar production is expected to account for only about 30% of the domestic sugar supply in the 2025–26 season, according to the USDA. The remainder comes from sugar beets and imports, primarily from Mexico and other Latin American countries. A significant switch by a major brand like Coca-Cola would likely cause ripple effects across trade, pricing, and crop decisions in the US.

Ironically, the reported change would not affect Trump’s own beverage of choice: Diet Coke. Throughout his presidency and beyond, Trump has been famously attached to the sugar-free drink. Since his return to the White House, Trump has re-installed a special button in the Oval Office which summons a helping of the sugar-free carbonated drink.

Coca-Cola has acknowledged this fondness in public gestures. CEO James Quincey presented Trump with a custom Diet Coke bottle during his 2025 inauguration. Yet Trump has also criticised the company in the past. In a 2012 tweet, he suggested diet sodas could contribute to weight gain, writing, “The Coca-Cola company is not happy with me — that’s okay, I’ll still keep drinking that garbage.”

Diet Coke is sweetened with aspartame — an artificial sweetener that has drawn scrutiny for decades. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) last year labelled it a “possible carcinogen,” though food safety agencies around the world maintain that moderate consumption is safe.

The ripple effect of Trump’s announcement extended to the stock market. Shares of corn syrup producer Archer-Daniels-Midland Co. dropped more than 7% in extended trading Wednesday night, reflecting investor concerns about the impact on the HFCS supply chain. Coca-Cola’s stock remained mostly unchanged, as analysts and consumers awaited more clarity from the company.

Analysts suggest that even if Coca-Cola does plan a return to cane sugar, it’s likely to be a targeted rollout — perhaps limited to special editions, regional variants, or premium lines rather than a wholesale formula overhaul.

- with inputs from Bloomberg, AFP and AP