President-elect Donald Trump speaks to members of the media during a press conference at the Mar-a-Lago Club on January 7, 2025, in Palm Beach, Florida. | Source: Scott Olson / Getty
In a bold and controversial statement on Tuesday, President-elect Donald Trump declared his intention to rename the Gulf of Mexico, proposing the new title be the “Gulf of America.”
Trump’s comments came as part of a broader critique of U.S.-Mexico relations, especially concerning trade imbalances and immigration issues. According to Trump, the name change would better reflect the United States’ dominance in the region and send a clear message to Mexico regarding its immigration policies.
“We’re going to change the name to the Gulf of America. It’s a beautiful name. It’s a fitting name,” Trump said during a press conference. “It’s appropriate, and it’s time to stop the flow of millions of people coming into our country. This is a crucial step, and the new name will make that clear.”
The name of the Gulf of Mexico has been a part of global maps since the 1500s, but Trump’s proposed alteration reflects the growing nationalistic sentiment in his rhetoric.
The Gulf spans over half a million square miles, bordering five U.S. states, Mexico, and Cuba, and is an essential part of North America’s trade and ecological systems. However, Trump’s suggestion to change its name underscores his focus on redefining the region’s geopolitical importance.
The idea was immediately supported by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a staunch ally of Trump in Congress. Shortly after the president-elect’s remarks, Greene took to social media to announce that she would introduce a bill to officially rename the Gulf of Mexico.
“President Trump’s second term is off to a GREAT start,” Greene wrote on the platform X. “I will be introducing legislation ASAP to make the Gulf of Mexico’s rightful name the Gulf of America!”
This push for the name change is just one element of Trump’s broader agenda concerning his foreign policy and trade relations.
Since securing his second term, Trump has been vocal about the U.S. trade deficit with Mexico and Canada, both of which he considers to be taking advantage of the American economy. His stance has been clear: impose steep tariffs on these neighboring countries to force better deals for the U.S.
Trump’s recent rhetoric on these issues is aligned with his campaign promises to reassert American economic power on the global stage.
He has consistently voiced his discontent with what he perceives as unfair trade deals, and this continues to be a major focus of his administration.
His threat to impose tariffs on both Mexico and Canada has been met with resistance from their leaders, including outgoing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, who have both attempted to engage with Trump on finding resolutions to the trade issues.
The comments on the Gulf of Mexico come on the heels of a more aggressive tone in Trump’s criticisms of Mexico. He recently called Mexico “a very dangerous place,” accusing the country of being under the control of drug cartels.
Trump has made no secret of his belief that Mexico’s immigration policies directly impact the United States, often citing the need for stricter border controls and tougher enforcement.
Additionally, Trump raised eyebrows by suggesting a potential merger between the United States and Canada after Prime Minister Trudeau announced his resignation earlier this week.
The comment, though seen as more of a rhetorical flourish, signals Trump’s ongoing desire to reshape North American relations according to his vision.
While the proposal to rename the Gulf of Mexico remains largely symbolic, it highlights the growing tensions and nationalistic currents that define Trump’s foreign policy outlook, setting the tone for the early stages of his second term.
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