Donald Trump has announced potential tariffs of up to 50 percent on imports from Brazil, a move that could impact the U.S. beverage industry.
The specifics of whether sugar cane could entirely supplant corn syrup in the U.S. market, or if both sweeteners will coexist, remain unclear.The Coca-Cola Group has stated that Trump’s “enthusiasm” for the brand is noted and that “more details on new innovative offers within the Coca-Cola product range” will be released soon. In the United States, mexican Coca-Cola sweetened with sugar cane is currently available for purchase.
Criticism of Corn Syrup
For decades, U.S.Coca-Cola production has primarily used a corn syrup with a high fructose content, a practice that began in the 1980s and differs from production in other countries. This syrup is favored for its lower cost, increased sweetness, and longer shelf life compared to other sugars. Notably, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump’s former Secretary of Health, has been a critic of this ingredient. While Trump himself is known to consume sugar-free Diet Coke sweetened with artificial sweeteners, he recently posted on Truth Social that Coca-Cola made with sugar cane is “just better.”
The Archer-Daniels-Midland Company, a major producer of high-fructose corn syrup, saw its share price drop by nearly one percent at the start of U.S. trading on Thursday.
An industry association representing corn processors has voiced criticism of Trump’s proclamation. John Bode, a representative of the association, argued that replacing corn syrup with cane sugar offers no nutritional advantage and would result in the loss of thousands of American jobs, a reduction in income for agricultural companies, and an increase in foreign sugar imports.
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