President-elect Trump proposes renaming Gulf of Mexico as ‘Gulf of America’
US President-elect Donald Trump has told reporters he intends to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America,” describing the change as “appropriate” and “beautiful.”
Trump made the brief remarks during a wide-ranging press conference at Mar-a-Lago, touching on various contentious topics, including tariffs on Mexico and Canada, the Panama Canal and Greenland.
“We’re going to be changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America,” Trump said. “That covers a lot of territory. The Gulf of America, what a beautiful name. And it’s appropriate. It’s appropriate. And Mexico has to stop allowing millions of people to pour into our country.”
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Trump ally, expressed her support for the proposal, stating that she would introduce legislation to formalise the change. In a social media post, Greene said, “President Trump’s second term is off to a GREAT start. I’ll be introducing legislation ASAP to officially change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to its rightful name, the Gulf of America!”
Greene also commented on the economic and military significance of the Gulf, asserting that it is the U.S. armed forces that safeguard the area and its commercial activities.
President Trump’s second term is off to a GREAT start.
— Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene
I’ll be introducing legislation ASAP to officially change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to its rightful name, the Gulf of America! pic.twitter.com/uFlrNkw7c6(@RepMTG) January 7, 2025
The Gulf of Mexico, one of the largest bodies of water in North America, spans over 600,000 square miles and borders the U.S., Mexico, and Cuba. Its name dates back to the 1500s during Spanish colonisation, initially referred to as the “Golfo de Nueva España” or “Golfo de México.” Both nations share nearly equal amounts of coastline along the Gulf, although Mexico has slightly more.
The Gulf plays a critical role in U.S. commerce and energy production. It houses about 40 per cent of the nation’s seafood supply and half of its petroleum refining and natural gas processing capacity. Additionally, millions of tourists visit its coastal areas each year, contributing to the region’s economic strength.
The area has been the source of debate over mandatory boat speed limits designed to protect native species including the endangered Rice’s whale.
This is not the first time the idea of renaming the Gulf has surfaced. In 2012, Mississippi State Rep. Steve Holland proposed renaming it the “Gulf of America” in a satirical effort to criticise anti-immigration stances. Stephen Colbert also jokingly suggested the same name in 2010 during coverage of the BP oil spill.
The proposal to rename the Gulf is unlikely to affect international recognition of its name, as other nations are not obliged to adopt US designations. While Trump suggested that renaming would reflect the U.S.’s economic and military role in the region, it is currently unclear whether such a change would gain widespread support or even achieve legal approval within the United States.
The post President-elect Trump proposes renaming Gulf of Mexico as ‘Gulf of America’ appeared first on Marine Industry News.
