Core Viewpoint - The article discusses President Trump's unexpected announcement that Coca-Cola will consider using cane sugar as a sweetener in the U.S., which has sparked significant public interest and debate about the implications of this change [2][3]. Group 1: Coca-Cola's Sweetener History - Coca-Cola originally used cane sugar in its formula since the 19th century but switched to high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) in the late 1970s due to cost factors [3][13]. - The U.S. market has seen a long-standing preference for HFCS due to government subsidies for corn, making it cheaper than cane sugar [16][27]. Group 2: Political and Economic Implications - Trump's push for Coca-Cola to revert to cane sugar is seen as a move that could disrupt the established corn syrup industry, which has significant political backing [26][27]. - The potential switch to cane sugar could lead to increased costs for Coca-Cola, affecting product pricing and possibly leading to job losses in the corn syrup sector [26][27]. Group 3: Consumer Preferences and Health Concerns - Many consumers still associate cane sugar with a more authentic taste, despite the long-term use of HFCS in the U.S. [20][24]. - There are ongoing debates about the health implications of HFCS versus cane sugar, with some studies linking HFCS to obesity and other health issues [23][24]. Group 4: Market Variations - Coca-Cola uses different sweeteners in various markets based on local costs and consumer preferences, with cane sugar being favored in regions like Mexico due to lower costs [15][16]. - The article highlights that the choice of sweetener is largely driven by economic factors rather than purely consumer health concerns [15][27].