Coca-Cola to Launch New Cane Sugar Coke Product Following Trump Statement
Coca-Cola announced Tuesday it will introduce a new version of its flagship soda this fall, made with U.S.-sourced cane sugar—a move that appears to respond directly to recent remarks by President Trump.
Why it matters: The announcement comes days after Trump publicly called on the beverage giant to stop using high fructose corn syrup in its products and instead return to traditional sugar. The president’s comments created confusion about whether the company was planning a sweeping change to its existing recipes, prompting concern from agricultural groups who warned that eliminating corn syrup could cost thousands of jobs in the corn industry.
The clarification: In its earnings statement Tuesday, Coca-Cola clarified that it will not replace corn syrup in its current lineup but will instead launch a separate product made with U.S. cane sugar.
What they said: “This fall in the United States, the company plans to launch an offering made with U.S. cane sugar to expand its Trademark Coca-Cola product range,” the company said. “This addition is designed to complement the company’s strong core portfolio and offer more choices across occasions and preferences.”
Coca-Cola did not provide additional details about the branding or exact release date.
Context: While the upcoming product will be new in branding, the idea is familiar to many U.S. consumers. Imported “Mexican Coke,” made with cane sugar, has been widely available in U.S. stores and restaurants for years and is favored by some for its flavor. The company also occasionally produces limited runs of “Passover Coke,” which uses sugar to comply with dietary restrictions during the Jewish holiday.
The political angle: Coca-Cola’s decision to use domestically grown sugar could provide an economic boost to Florida and Louisiana, two major cane sugar-producing states that have remained politically close to Trump. The move may further strengthen ties between the beverage company and the administration as the new product rolls out later this year.
