Fact Check: Trump Asked Coca-Cola About Using REAL Cane Sugar in Coke in the United States, and They Have Agreed to Do So
What We Know
Recently, President Trump claimed that he had discussions with Coca-Cola regarding the use of real cane sugar in their U.S. products, stating that the company had "agreed" to implement this change. According to NPR, Coca-Cola announced plans to launch a new beverage sweetened with U.S. cane sugar, which is intended to complement their existing product range. The CEO of Coca-Cola, James Quincey, confirmed that the new product would be available later this year, aligning with Trump's assertion that he had influenced the decision.
Coca-Cola currently uses high-fructose corn syrup in its U.S. products, while its Mexican variant is sweetened with cane sugar. The announcement follows Trump's social media post where he mentioned that he had been in talks with Coca-Cola about this change, suggesting that the company had agreed to his proposal (CBS News).
Analysis
The claim that Trump influenced Coca-Cola to switch to cane sugar is partially true. While Coca-Cola has indeed announced a new product that will use U.S. cane sugar, the extent of Trump's influence is not entirely clear. The company has not provided specific details about the communications with the White House, and Quincey only acknowledged the president's enthusiasm without confirming direct negotiations (NPR).
Moreover, while Trump's push aligns with his administration's economic priorities, particularly regarding domestic sugar production, the implications of switching from high-fructose corn syrup to cane sugar are complex. Critics, including representatives from the corn industry, argue that such a shift could lead to job losses in corn production and increase reliance on imported cane sugar (NPR).
The sources reporting on this matter, including reputable outlets like Reuters and CBS News, provide a balanced view of the situation. However, the narrative surrounding Trump's influence may be somewhat exaggerated, as Coca-Cola has been exploring consumer preferences for cane sugar for some time.
Conclusion
The claim that Trump asked Coca-Cola to use real cane sugar and that they agreed to do so is partially true. While Coca-Cola has announced plans to introduce a cane sugar product in the U.S., the specifics of Trump's influence on this decision remain ambiguous. The company has not confirmed direct negotiations with the White House, and the broader implications of this change are still being debated.
Sources
- Trump Says Coca-Cola Agreed to Use Real Sugar in U.S. But ...
- Coca-Cola to use cane sugar in Coke after Trump push
- Trump says Coca-Cola agreed to use real cane sugar in US
- Behind Trump's Sudden Push For Cane Sugar In Coca Cola ...
- Coca-Cola to launch new U.S. soda with cane sugar this fall
- Coca-Cola will launch Coke with U.S. cane sugar after ...
- Coca-Cola agrees to use cane sugar in US sodas, Trump says
- Coca-Cola is releasing a Trump-approved new version of ...