President Trump’s recent push to have Coca-Cola switch its sweetener from high fructose corn syrup to cane sugar has triggered backlash from the corn industry, which warns the move could cost thousands of American jobs.
The issue erupted after Trump posted on Truth Social Wednesday night, claiming that Coca-Cola had agreed to make the switch and praising the decision as using what he called “just better!” ingredients.
That single post was enough to set off alarm bells within the Corn Refiners Association, which issued a warning about the potential economic fallout. Industry officials said a full shift to cane sugar could have major consequences, especially for states like Iowa that depend heavily on corn production.
Such a change, while potentially benefiting Florida America’s leading cane sugar producer could deal a blow to the Midwest, particularly corn farmers and processors who supply ingredients for sweetened beverages.
Market reactions were swift. Shares of Archer Daniels Midland, one of the nation’s top corn processors, dropped nearly 6% in pre-market trading Thursday, wiping out approximately $1.5 billion in investor value.
Though it may seem minor, a change in soda sweeteners has wide-reaching implications. Coca-Cola’s product decisions have long been closely watched by both agricultural producers and market analysts, given the sheer scale of its supply chain and consumer reach.
The corn industry’s concern now adds to a growing list of controversies facing the White House, which already includes public pressure over the Epstein case, tensions with the Federal Reserve, and ongoing trade disputes.
For corn producers and related businesses, the fallout from a shift in Coke’s formula isn’t just about taste it’s about jobs, market stability, and the future of domestic demand for a key agricultural product.
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