Coca-Cola has announced plans to launch a new version of its iconic soft drink in the U.S., this time sweetened with domestically grown cane sugar. The move comes after former President Donald Trump publicly called for the change, touting it as a return to a “better” taste.
“We’re introducing a U.S. Coke sweetened with real cane sugar this fall,” said Coca-Cola CEO James Quincey during a call with analysts. “We believe it’ll become a lasting choice for those who prefer it.”
While most Coca-Cola products in the U.S. are currently made with high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS), the cane sugar version will serve as an alternative—not a replacement. Quincey made it clear that the classic corn syrup formula isn’t going anywhere.
The announcement follows Trump’s recent post on Truth Social, where he shared that Coca-Cola had agreed to switch to cane sugar in response to his push. “This will be a very good move by them—You’ll see. It’s just better!” he wrote.
Though Coca-Cola initially stopped short of confirming the shift, the company acknowledged the former president’s enthusiasm for the brand. Trump has long been known for his fondness for Diet Coke, even reinstating the infamous red button in the Oval Office to summon his favorite drink, which is sweetened with aspartame—a compound some health agencies have flagged as a possible carcinogen.
HFCS rose to prominence in the 1970s, boosted by corn subsidies and tariffs on imported sugar. Shifting away from corn-based sweeteners could stir discontent in the Corn Belt, a region that’s remained politically loyal to Trump.
Meanwhile, Coca-Cola’s Mexican counterpart—made with cane sugar—has long been a cult favorite in the U.S., often praised for its “cleaner” flavor and sold at a premium.
Nutritionally, both HFCS and cane sugar break down into similar components—glucose and fructose—and most research suggests minimal differences in their health impacts.
While Trump’s latest push won’t affect his sugar-free favorite, the introduction of a cane sugar Coke might just sweeten the brand’s appeal to a broader range of consumers.
