President-elect Donald Trump announced plans to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America,” describing the move as both symbolic and fitting. Trump made the statement during a press conference at Mar-a-Lago, his first public appearance since Congress certified his victory over Vice President Kamala Harris.
“The Gulf of America has a beautiful ring to it,” Trump said on Tuesday. “It’s appropriate and covers a lot of territory.” He did not outline the legal or diplomatic steps required for the change but used the announcement to highlight his administration’s priorities, including economic growth and border security.
The Gulf of Mexico borders five U.S. states—Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida—as well as Mexico. Renaming the body of water would likely require substantial cooperation with neighboring countries, but Trump’s comments primarily targeted Mexico’s immigration policies.
“Mexico needs to stop allowing millions of people to pour into our country,” Trump stated. “They can stop them, and if they don’t, we’ll impose very serious tariffs on Mexico and Canada.” Trump added that his administration would address record levels of drug trafficking through both countries, asserting that tariffs would help mitigate the financial burden.
Trump’s remarks fit into broader conversations about national territory. He previously referred to Canada as the “51st state” and renewed interest in acquiring Greenland, a Danish territory. Donald Trump Jr. recently traveled to Greenland, calling the visit “a little bit of fun,” sparking speculation about future U.S. efforts to expand territorial holdings.
The renaming proposal has drawn attention for its boldness and potential international implications, though concrete details remain sparse. Critics and allies alike are awaiting further clarification on the feasibility and timeline of such a change.
