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Posting on his Truth Social account on Wednesday, Trump said he had been in talks with Coke bosses about “using REAL Cane Sugar in Coke in the United States.” He added that the current recipe, which uses high-fructose corn syrup in the US, “just doesn’t taste the same anymore.”
The announcement sparked an immediate reaction in both political and business circles, with some hailing it as a win for consumers, and others warning of major economic consequences.
For decades, Coca-Cola sold in the US has been sweetened with high-fructose corn syrup, while other markets, including Mexico, use cane sugar. The Mexican version is often lauded for its smoother, less syrupy taste, with fans paying a premium to import “Mexican Coke” into the US.
Trump’s proposal would effectively align the American Coke recipe with its Mexican counterpart, but critics say it’s not that simple.
John Bode, CEO of the Corn Refiners Association, warned last week that removing corn-based sweeteners from Coke could cost thousands of jobs in the US manufacturing and agricultural sectors. In a strongly worded statement, Bode said the change “risks triggering economic chaos and unnecessary political turmoil.”
Stock market analysts also reported turbulence following Trump’s post, with shares in both Coca-Cola and major corn producers dipping slightly as investors reacted to the uncertainty. One Wall Street insider described Trump’s suggestion as “classic Trump: bold, headline-grabbing, but with potentially huge unintended consequences.”
AP Photo - Canva
Coca-Cola, for its part, has declined to confirm or deny whether it is actively pursuing Trump’s proposed changes. In a brief statement, the company said: “We’re always listening to our customers and exploring ways to improve our products, but we have no further comment at this time.”
For many consumers, however, the idea of real sugar Coke in the US is welcome news. Social media lit up with nostalgic posts and calls for the company to “make Coke taste like it used to.”
Trump, never one to shy away from controversy, ended his post with his signature flourish: “Make Coke Great Again!”
While it remains to be seen whether Coca-Cola will actually change its formula, one thing is certain, the debate over sugar, jobs, and the future of America’s most famous soft drink has only just begun.
