Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum dismissed U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America,” emphasizing that, for both Mexico and the rest of the world, it will remain the same.
On January 20, Trump signed an executive order officially changing the name of the Gulf, a move he first proposed during a January 7 press conference, according to reports. He explained that the change was meant to honor the Gulf’s significance to the U.S. economy and history.
The announcement follows other controversial proposals from Trump, including suggestions to annex Greenland and regain control of the Panama Canal.
During a January 21 briefing, President Sheinbaum responded to the renaming, stating that while the U.S. may call its portion of the Gulf by a different name, the body of water will still be the Gulf of Mexico for Mexico and the global community. She also jokingly reaffirmed Mexico’s sovereignty over its waters and described the name change as more symbolic than meaningful.
The renaming has faced widespread criticism and ridicule internationally, with many seeing it as an unnecessary and provocative move.
Mexico is expected to continue asserting the established name in diplomatic conversations and global forums, emphasizing its territorial and cultural connections to the Gulf.
