Coca-Cola, according to Trump, will switch to using real sugar in its primary beverage within the United States.
In a series of events that have caught the attention of both the business world and the public, President Donald Trump's daily consumption of Diet Coke has been a topic of discussion. According to a report by The New York Times in 2018, Trump was drinking a dozen Diet Cokes daily.
Recently, Trump shared on his social media platform that Coca-Cola is not pleased with him, yet he continues to drink Diet Coke. However, an interesting twist unfolded when Trump announced that Coca-Cola has agreed to use real cane sugar in its flagship soft drink in the U.S. This change, if implemented, would bring Coca-Cola's U.S. production more in line with its practices in other countries like Mexico and Australia.
Yet, Coca-Cola has not confirmed an agreement to switch to using real cane sugar in its U.S. products at President Trump's suggestion. The company's spokesperson has stated that more details on new offerings within its products will be shared soon.
The potential shift towards cane sugar could have implications for American farmers, as their yields are currently used in artificial sweeteners. The Corn Refiners Association, an industry group representing corn refiners, has expressed concerns about replacing high-fructose corn syrup with cane sugar. Corn Refiners Association President and CEO John Bode has stated that such a move could cost thousands of American food manufacturing jobs, depress farm income, and boost imports of foreign sugar.
Interestingly, Coca-Cola has long imported glass bottles of Mexican Coke to the U.S. since 2005, catering to U.S. fans of cane sugar. A bottle of Diet Coke was seen sitting next to Trump's chair at the G20 summit in 2017.
In 2012, Trump suggested a connection between diet soda and weight gain in a series of posts. Despite this, he has a red button on the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office that he can press to have a White House butler bring him a Diet Coke.
This story was contributed to by Associated Press writers Dee-Ann Durbin in Detroit and Josh Funk in Omaha, Nebraska. The Associated Press reminds readers that all rights reserved.
[1] Associated Press, "Coca-Cola has not confirmed an agreement to switch to real cane sugar in its U.S. production," 2021.
- The discussion about President Trump's daily consumption of Diet Coke has extended beyond the business world and general news, now encompassing policy-and-legislation, as concerns rise among American farmers and the Corn Refiners Association about potential shifts in Coca-Cola's production.
- The ongoing discourse surrounding President Trump's Diet Coke consumption has also ventured into politics, with the Corn Refiners Association expressing concerns about the potential impact on American jobs, farm income, and imports, if Coca-Cola were to replace high-fructose corn syrup with cane sugar in its U.S. products.
