US Officially Renames Gulf of Mexico to “Gulf of America” by Trump’s Order
The Gulf of Mexico is no more—at least in the United States. The federal Board on Geographic Names has officially renamed it the Gulf of America following one of President Donald Trump’s first executive orders.
What the Name Change Means
- The change applies only to the U.S., meaning other countries can continue using “Gulf of Mexico.”
- Mexico’s President, Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, has rejected the change and urged others to ignore it.
- International naming practices typically defer to the country in control of a geographic feature, but the Gulf is shared by Mexico, the U.S., Cuba, and several other nations.
Trump Declares “Gulf of America Day”
On Super Bowl Sunday, President Trump flew over the Gulf on Air Force One and proclaimed the day as the first-ever “Gulf of America Day.“ Traveling with him, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum shared a new USGS (United States Geological Survey) map on social media reflecting the updated name.
Government & Tech Companies Respond
- Some U.S. agencies immediately adopted the name following Trump’s Jan. 20 order.
- The Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) now recognizes “Gulf of America” as the official name across all federal government entities.
- Google Maps has already updated the name.
- Apple has not yet made the change and declined to comment when asked about it.
Mexico’s Response: A Name Change for the U.S.?
In a lighthearted response, Mexico’s President joked that she might start calling the U.S. “Mexican America” in retaliation.
Historical Precedents for Name Disputes
This isn’t the first time a geographic name has been contested:
- The Falkland Islands—claimed by both Britain and Argentina—are called “Islas Malvinas” by Argentina. This dispute led to the 1982 Falklands War.
- Denali vs. Mount McKinley—Trump has also reversed the renaming of North America’s tallest mountain, reinstating its federal name as Mount McKinley. President Barack Obama had officially changed it to Denali in 2015, aligning with Alaskan officials who had used the name for years.
Trump’s Justification for the McKinley Name Reinstatement
Trump called Obama’s decision “an affront to President McKinley’s life, achievements, and sacrifice.“ He emphasized McKinley’s historical role in:
- Tariffs, which align with Trump’s economic policies.
- Territorial expansion, as McKinley’s presidency saw the U.S. acquire Puerto Rico, Guam, the Philippines, and Hawaii.
Trump’s Vision for U.S. Expansion
Trump has previously suggested:
- Annexing Greenland.
- Making Canada the 51st state.
- Retaking the Panama Canal through military action.
Despite the mountain’s renaming, Denali National Park and Preserve will keep its existing name.
Conclusion
While the U.S. government now officially recognizes “Gulf of America,“ the international community’s reaction remains mixed. Mexico and other nations continue to use “Gulf of Mexico,” highlighting yet another diplomatic controversy sparked by Trump’s administration.
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