Former President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to rename the Gulf of Mexico, a move that has stirred controversy and drawn criticism from the Mexican government.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum responded firmly, emphasizing that while the United States can rename the body of water on its side, the rest of the world—and Mexico—will continue to refer to it as the Gulf of Mexico.
“He may choose to call it the ‘Gulf of America’ within the boundaries of the U.S. continental shelf, but for us, and for the international community, it remains the Gulf of Mexico,” Sheinbaum stated on January 21, according to the Associated Press.
Trump first floated the idea of a name change before taking office, saying the new name felt “appropriate.”
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“We’re renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America — it has a beautiful ring to it,” Trump declared on January 7. “It covers a lot of territory. The Gulf of America — what a great name.”
He mentioned the change during his inauguration speech, drawing laughter from Hillary Clinton in the crowd, and later signed the executive order that same day.
According to a statement from the White House, the order declared, “The area formerly known as the Gulf of Mexico has long been an essential asset to our great Nation and will remain a cornerstone of America’s prosperity.”
The document added: “The Gulf continues to play a crucial role in our economy and global trade. In recognition of its significance, I hereby direct that it be officially renamed the Gulf of America.”
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The Gulf is shared by the United States, Mexico, and Cuba and is vital for fishing, oil production, and international shipping routes.
President Sheinbaum previously responded to Trump’s proposal with sarcasm, suggesting that, in that case, North America should be renamed “América Mexicana” or “Mexican America.”
Renaming such a shared body of water would likely require complex international negotiations, given that it involves multiple countries and longstanding maritime agreements.
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