On a recent Wednesday, President Donald Trump claimed that Coca-Cola has agreed to switch to using real cane sugar in its flagship soft drink in the United States. Trump stated that this suggestion was made by him, though Coca-Cola has not confirmed the announcement. If the company does decide to make this switch, it would align U.S. production with the practices observed in countries like Mexico and Australia, where cane sugar is already used in their Coca-Cola products.
This potential change would not impact Trump personally since his beverage of choice is Diet Coke, which relies on aspartame for its calorie-free formulation. Trump expressed gratitude to Coca-Cola for considering the transition to cane sugar, describing it as a "very good move" that would enhance the drink's quality. He shared this information through a post on his social media platform, emphasizing the superiority of cane sugar over high-fructose corn syrup.
A spokesperson from the Coca-Cola Company, headquartered in Atlanta, acknowledged Trump's enthusiasm but did not provide further details on the matter. However, it is noted that Coca-Cola has been catering to the U.S. market's preference for cane sugar by importing Mexican Coke in glass bottles since 2005. Should Coca-Cola revert to cane sugar in its domestic products, it could have a significant impact on American corn farmers, who primarily grow corn for high-fructose corn syrup used in many processed foods.
John Bode, President and CEO of the Corn Refiners Association, responded critically to Trump's suggestion. He stated that replacing high-fructose corn syrup with cane sugar would be economically disadvantageous, potentially leading to thousands of job losses in American food manufacturing. Bode argued that such a change would also depress farm income and increase sugar imports from abroad, all without providing any nutritional benefits.
Despite Trump's expressed fondness for Diet Coke, his relationship with Coca-Cola has not always been consistent. In 2012, he made social media posts implying a link between diet sodas and weight gain, stating, "The Coca Cola company is not happy with me — that’s okay, I’ll still keep drinking that garbage." Nevertheless, his affinity for the drink was evident, as he had a red button installed on the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office, allowing him to call for a butler to bring him a Diet Coke whenever he desired. Reports from 2018 indicated that Trump was consuming up to a dozen Diet Cokes each day, highlighting his continued preference for the beverage.
In summary, while Trump's proposal for Coca-Cola to switch to cane sugar has garnered attention and support from some quarters, the potential economic ramifications for U.S. farmers and the food manufacturing industry are noteworthy. The lack of confirmation from Coca-Cola leaves the situation uncertain, but it reflects a broader conversation around sweeteners and their impact on both health and the economy.
