President-elect Donald Trump proposed on Tuesday renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America,” a name he described as “beautiful.”
This suggestion is the latest in Trump’s efforts to reshape the map of the Western Hemisphere. Over the years, he has referred to Canada as “the 51st state,” urged Denmark to cede Greenland, and demanded Panama to hand back the Panama Canal.
Why Is Trump Talking About Renaming the Gulf of Mexico?
Since his 2016 presidential campaign, Trump has clashed with Mexico over several issues, including border security, tariffs, and imported goods. At the time, he vowed to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border and insisted that Mexico would pay for it. During his presidency, the U.S. built or renovated approximately 450 miles of the border wall.
The Gulf of Mexico, often called America’s “third coast,” borders five southeastern states, making it integral to U.S. geography. However, Mexicans firmly identify it as the Gulf of Mexico, and for them, there’s no alternative.
This naming dispute isn’t new. A key example lies in the river forming the U.S.-Mexico border. Americans call it the Rio Grande, while Mexicans refer to it as the Río Bravo.
Can Trump Legally Change the Gulf’s Name?
It’s possible, but not without significant hurdles, and other countries are not obligated to follow suit.
The International Hydrographic Organization (IHO)—of which both the U.S. and Mexico are members—plays a role in standardizing names for seas, oceans, and navigable waters worldwide. However, countries often use different names for the same natural landmarks within their borders.
Domestically, renaming landmarks is easier. For instance, in 2015, then-President Barack Obama authorized renaming North America’s highest peak, Mount McKinley, to its native Alaskan name, Denali. Interestingly, Trump expressed his desire to revert that change.
After Trump’s statement on Tuesday, Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia announced plans to draft a bill supporting the name change. She claimed the bill would allocate funds for updating maps and administrative documents across federal agencies.
The Gulf of Mexico has carried its current name for over four centuries, likely derived from a North American indigenous village named “Mexico.”
Mexico’s Response: “It Will Always Be the Gulf of Mexico”
Mexican Secretary of Economy Marcelo Ebrard urged for a calm, strategic approach to Trump’s remarks, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding the U.S.-Mexico relationship.
“Thirty years from now, it will still be called the Gulf of Mexico,” Ebrard said during a press conference on January 7. “We won’t engage in this debate. Instead, we’ll focus on protecting the ties between our two nations.”
This isn’t the first time Ebrard has advised restraint regarding Trump’s comments. Following the former president’s announcement of a 25% tariff on Mexican imports, Ebrard reiterated Mexico’s independence and commitment to avoiding provocation.
