Mexico’s president issued a pointed rebuke of Donald Trump on Wednesday, suggesting the United States be renamed “Mexican America” in response to Trump’s plan to rechristen the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America.”
During her routine morning press conference, Claudia Sheinbaum showcased a 17th-century world map labeling North America as “Mexican America.” She noted the current name of the Gulf of Mexico is internationally recognized by the United Nations, countering Trump’s controversial proposal.
“Why don’t we call it [the United States] Mexican America? It sounds nice, doesn’t it?” Sheinbaum remarked, adding, “He talked about names, so we’re also talking about names.” Despite her criticism, she emphasized the importance of maintaining good relations with the incoming U.S. administration.
Trump, set to be sworn in for a second term on January 20, announced Tuesday his intention to rename the Gulf of Mexico. “The Gulf of America has a beautiful ring to it,” he said, justifying the move as “appropriate” and calling on Mexico to curb illegal migration into the U.S.
The former president further claimed Mexico was under the control of drug cartels, prompting a swift rebuttal from Sheinbaum, who declared, “In Mexico, the people rule.”
Trump’s comments mark another escalation in his rhetoric against Mexico in the lead-up to his return to the White House. He has repeatedly threatened punitive tariffs on Mexican imports to pressure the country into halting the flow of drugs and undocumented migrants across the border. Additionally, he has revived his earlier pledge to designate Mexican drug cartels as terrorist organizations.
In closing, Sheinbaum downplayed Trump’s accusations, positioning Mexico as a sovereign nation determined to maintain its global reputation and strong trading partnership with the United States.
