'Trump Tariffs' Fallout... Coca-Cola "May Increase Use of PET Bottles"

The world's largest beverage company, Coca-Cola, has stated that it may increase the use of PET bottles instead of cans to reduce the burden caused by aluminum tariffs.

Reuters Yonhap News

According to the Washington Post (WP) on the 12th (local time), James Quincey, CEO of Coca-Cola, said that plastic packaging could become larger due to additional tariffs on aluminum.

On the 10th, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a 25% tariff on all imported steel and aluminum.

In response, CEO Quincey said, "(The 25% tariff) is not a trivial matter, but it will not bring fundamental changes to a multi-billion dollar company."

However, since Coca-Cola is known as a company that accounts for a large share of global plastic pollution, there are concerns that increasing plastic usage could have adverse effects on the environment and human health.

Emma Priestland, who leads the environmental protection group 'Break Free From Plastic,' criticized in an email statement, "Coca-Cola's expansion of PET bottle use will cause direct harm not only to customers' health but also to the environment."

According to WP, studies have shown that microplastics are associated with increased risks of colorectal cancer, lung cancer, infertility, heart attacks, and strokes, and microplastics have been found in the liver, placenta, blood, testes, brain, and other parts of the body.

Priestland pointed out that if Coca-Cola is concerned about the cost of aluminum cans, it should invest more in reusable glass bottles instead of PET bottles. She argued, "Coca-Cola successfully operates reusable packaging systems worldwide. Therefore, it should double the use of glass bottles rather than PET bottles."