Coca-Cola has cautioned that it may be forced to increase its use of plastic in the United States if Donald Trump's tariffs on steel and aluminium imports raise the cost of aluminium cans. The drinks giant's chief executive, James Quincey, said the company imports aluminium for its cans from Canada and is exploring ways to mitigate price rises, including switching to PET plastic bottles.
Quincey told investors that while packaging is only a small component of total costs, the 25% tariffs could affect affordability. 'If aluminium cans become more expensive, we can put more emphasis on PET bottles,' he said, though he also downplayed the potential impact, adding that the tariffs would not 'radically change a multibillion-dollar US business'.
Trump reimposed the tariffs in 2025, insisting they would be enforced 'without exceptions or exemptions', unlike during his first term when many can makers secured waivers. The move follows a recent executive order by Trump to bring back plastic drinking straws, reversing a federal phase-out of single-use plastics.
Coca-Cola, often named one of the world's top plastic polluters, has been gradually increasing its use of aluminium cans as part of sustainability targets. However, in 2023, only 26% of its drinks were sold in aluminium or steel containers, while nearly half (47.7%) were in plastic bottles.
The company's warning highlights the tension between environmental goals and trade policy, as higher costs for aluminium could push drink makers back towards plastic, undermining efforts to reduce plastic waste.
