Coca-Cola to Launch Cane Sugar Coke in the U.S. Following Trump Endorsement
Coca-Cola has confirmed it will release a new version of its iconic soft drink sweetened with U.S.-grown cane sugar, marking a notable shift in its American product lineup long dominated by high-fructose corn syrup.
The announcement came during the company’s latest quarterly update, where executives revealed plans to roll out the cane sugar variant this autumn. The move follows public comments by U.S. President Donald Trump, who revealed the development on social media last week before the company made it official.
Coca-Cola said the upcoming product will “complement” its current offerings, giving consumers more options based on taste and preference. “We are definitely looking to use the whole toolkit of sweetening options where there are consumer preferences,” said Coca-Cola CEO James Quincey. He noted that some of the company’s U.S. products, such as its lemonade, vitamin water, and coffee drinks, already use cane sugar.
While Coca-Cola uses cane sugar in many markets globally, its American formula has relied on corn syrup for decades due to cost efficiency. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has previously raised concerns over corn syrup’s health impact, though nutrition experts generally agree there’s little meaningful difference between the two sweeteners in terms of health.
President Trump, however, has championed the switch. “This will be a very good move by them – you’ll see. It’s just better!” he posted last week. He also claimed to have discussed the matter directly with Coca-Cola leadership and even connected them with billionaire sugar magnate and donor José Fanjul to push the case for real sugar.
Trump’s public remarks appear to have caught the company off guard initially. At the time, Coca-Cola responded diplomatically, saying it “appreciates President Trump’s enthusiasm.”
The decision taps into growing nostalgia and demand for alternatives to corn syrup. A long-standing cult favourite among American consumers, “Mexican Coke”—sold in glass bottles and made with cane sugar – has enjoyed success in the U.S. since its 2005 debut.
With the fall launch of the cane sugar version, Coca-Cola aims to blend legacy flavour with evolving consumer tastes, while also navigating a rare intersection of corporate strategy and presidential influence.
