Bottles of Coca-Cola move through a sorting machine on the production line at the Coca-Cola HBC bottling plant in Dunaharaszti, Hungary, in 2023. (Akos Stiller/Bloomberg)
President Donald Trump said in a Truth Social post that Coca-Cola Co. has agreed to use cane sugar in Coke beverages sold in the U.S.
“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 said. “I’d like to thank all of those in authority at Coca-Cola.”
The company followed up with a statement, saying “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 already sells a version of Mexico Coke that contains cane sugar. Coca-Cola declined to say whether it would transition all of its U.S. beverages to cane sugar, adding that it will provide further details when it reports earnings July 22.
Coke’s original soda currently contains high-fructose corn syrup, a sweetener made from corn, according to the company’s website. The syrup is commonly used in packaged goods because it is more shelf stable, cheaper and sweeter than regular sugar, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has said “high-fructose corn syrup is everywhere” and contributing to making Americans unhealthy.
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. I’d like to thank all of those in authority at Coca-Cola. This will be a very good move by them — You’ll see. It’s just better! (TS: 16 Jul 20:19 UTC)
— Trump Truth Social Posts On X (@TrumpTruthOnX) July 16, 2025
U.S. cane sugar production in the 2025-26 season is expected to account for roughly 30% of U.S. sugar supply, according to the Department of Agriculture. The remainder of American sugar comes from sugar beets as well as imports from Mexico and other countries.
Shares of Archer-Daniels-Midland Co. — a corn syrup maker — fell more than 8% in extended New York trading. Coca-Cola shares were little changed. ADM ranks No. 77 on the Transport Topics Top 100 list of the largest private carriers in North America. Numerous Coca-Cola bottling companies appear on the private TT100 as well.
Corn Refiners Association President John Bode said in a statement that replacing high-fructose corn syrup with cane sugar doesn’t make sense given Trump’s support for U.S. farmers and U.S. manufacturing jobs.
“Replacing high-fructose corn syrup 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,” he said.
Trump famously drinks Diet Coke, which is artificially sweetened with aspartame. Coca-Cola CEO James Quincey presented Trump with a custom bottle of Diet Coke to commemorate his inauguration earlier this year.
