Coca-Cola has confirmed it will launch a new cane sugar-sweetened version of its classic Coke in the US this autumn, a move publicly championed by president Donald Trump last week.

While the soft drinks giant already uses cane sugar in global markets and US products like lemonade and vitamin water, the core US Coke recipe has long relied on high-fructose corn syrup due to cost.

In a quarterly investor update, Coca-Cola said the cane sugar Coke would “complement” its existing range, offering more options to consumers.

CEO James Quincey added that the decision responds to “consumer preferences” for sweetener variety.

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The soft drink giant has not publicly confirmed whether the new product will roll out to its other markets, including the UK.

The move comes as President Trump had revealed the development ahead of time on social media, calling the move “a very good one” and saying he’d spoken to Coca-Cola executives, and sugar industry billionaire Jose Fanjul in discussions.

Though some, including Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr, have raised health concerns about corn syrup, nutrition experts say there’s no significant difference between the two sweeteners.

It is understood the new Coke will join a small but popular group of cane sugar products already available in the US, including the glass-bottled “Mexican Coke”.