Mexico’s president tells Trump it’s the U.S. that should be renamed in jab at ‘Gulf of America’ plans
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum launched a scathing attack on Donald Trump on Wednesday in response to his plan to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of the Americas.”
Sheinbaum dramatically unveiled a 17th century map showing an early designation of North America with the title “Mexican America” in large letters.
And she said an 1814 document that preceded Mexico’s Constitution referred to the area that now includes the United States in that way.
“Mexican America, that sounds fun, doesn’t it?” she said sarcastically, pointing to a huge image of the 17th century map behind her.
She made her comments during her daily news conference in Mexico City, a day after Trump announced he wanted to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico.
“We will change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, which has a beautiful ring to it,” Trump told reporters in Florida.
‘That covers a large area. The Gulf of America. What a beautiful name. It is appropriate,” he emphasized.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum shows a 17th century world map showing North America during her press conference in Mexico City on January 8, after Trump said he wants to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to “Gulf of the Americas”
Sheinbaum also noted Wednesday that the name Gulf of Mexico is recognized by the United Nations.
She was joined by cultural advisor Alfonso Suarez del Real, who explained the backstory of the name “Mexican America” for North America.
“The fact is that Mexican America has been recognized as the name for the entire northern part of the continent since the 17th century,” Suarez del Real said.
He added that the Gulf of Mexico’s name was internationally recognized and used as a navigational reference for hundreds of years.
Mexican presidential adviser Alfonso Suarez del Real explains that the Gulf of Mexico was named via a constitutional decree during a press conference in Mexico City after Trump said he wanted to rename the Gulf of America
Trump announced he wants to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to ‘Gulf of America’
Trump added that he wants to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico (sea on the right) to “Gulf of America.” He added that it was a “beautiful name.”
Sheinbaum’s jab at Trump wasn’t the first time she’s taken on the newly elected president as he prepares to return to power in less than two weeks.
Last year, Trump threatened tariffs on Mexico, claiming the neighboring country was not doing enough to stem the flow of drugs and immigrants across the southern U.S. border.
Sheinbaum wrote a fiery letter in response. In it, she criticized Trump for perhaps not being aware of the actions Mexico has already taken to address the problem.
She also threatened the same response if the US imposed 25 percent tariffs on imports from Mexico.
After Trump announced his plan to rename the Gulf of Mexico, Republican lawmakers expressed support for the move.
Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) announced she would introduce a bill to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico and advocated that the entire world should use “Gulf of America.”
The proposed legislation directs the Secretary of Commerce to oversee implementation of the new name in U.S. government documents and maps.
If Trump could change the name of the Gulf of Mexico, other countries wouldn’t necessarily have to go along with it.
While Sheinbaum’s joke quickly reverberated on social media, it also set the tone for what her relationship with Trump could look like in the years to come.
‘Humor can be a good tactic, it conveys strength, and that is what Trump responds to. It was probably the right thing to do on this issue,” said Brian Winter, vice president of the New York-based Council of the Americas.
“While President Sheinbaum knows this won’t work on everything, Trump and his administration will demand serious involvement from Mexico on the big issues of immigration, drugs and trade.”