New name, same waters: Trump declares 'Gulf of Mexico' as 'Gulf of America'
Trump renamed the 'Gulf of Mexico' to the 'Gulf of America,' calling it an indelible part of the U.S. This move sparked controversy over geographical and diplomatic implications.
On January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump signed Executive Order 14172, titled "Restoring Names That Honor American Greatness," which directs the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to the "Gulf of America." This move aligns with the administration's initiative to honor American heritage through geographic nomenclature.
Gulf of America day
The executive order mandates the Secretary of the Interior to implement the name change within 30 days, updating federal maps and documents accordingly. The U.S. Board on Geographic Names is also instructed to adopt the new designation in its official records. On February 9, 2025, while en route to the Super Bowl in New Orleans, President Trump proclaimed the day as "Gulf of America Day" aboard Air Force One, emphasizing the significance of the renaming.
Gulf of Mexico
The renaming has elicited a range of responses. Some U.S. officials and agencies, including the U.S. Coast Guard and the state of Florida, have begun using the new name in official communications.
Conversely, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has stated that Mexico and the international community will continue to refer to the body of water as the Gulf of Mexico.
International Hydrographic Organization
It's important to note that while the executive order changes the name for U.S. federal purposes, international recognition of such a change is not obligatory. The International Hydrographic Organization, which standardizes maritime names, includes both the U.S. and Mexico as member states, and any alteration would require broader international consensus. This action is part of a broader pattern by the Trump administration to reassert American identity in geographic names, as seen in the simultaneous directive to revert "Denali" back to "Mount McKinley."
