Trump Says Coca-Cola to Switch to Cane Sugar in U.S. Drinks

President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that Coca-Cola has agreed to replace high fructose corn syrup with real cane sugar in its U.S. beverages, a shift he described as “just better.”

“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 on Truth Social. “This will be a very good move by them, you’ll see.”

While Coca-Cola has not confirmed the change outright, a company spokesperson responded by saying they “appreciate President Trump’s enthusiasm” and promised more details on “new innovative offerings” soon.

Coca-Cola drinks in the U.S. are typically sweetened with corn syrup, unlike versions sold in Mexico, the U.K., and Australia, which often use cane sugar. In April, Coca-Cola CEO James Quincey noted that the company was continuing efforts to reduce sugar in its products through recipe changes and expanded marketing of low- and no-sugar options.

The announcement aligns with recent advocacy from U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a key figure behind the “Make America Healthy Again” initiative. Kennedy has criticized ingredients such as corn syrup, seed oils, and artificial dyes, citing health concerns.

The move has sparked backlash from the corn industry. John Bode, president of the Corn Refiners Association, warned the switch could cost U.S. food manufacturing jobs and hurt domestic agriculture without offering nutritional benefits. “Replacing high fructose corn syrup with cane sugar would... boost imports of foreign sugar,” Bode said.

Trump, a known Diet Coke enthusiast, famously had a button installed in the Oval Office to summon the beverage. While Diet Coke uses artificial sweeteners, Trump’s call for a shift in sweetener for regular Coke adds to his growing focus on food policy in his second term.