On Tuesday, the president of the United States, Donald Trump said that he would change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. Moreover, Donald Trump also talked about the renaming In a news conference. In Palm Beach, Florida at Mar-a-Lago Club he said that they are going to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. Donald Trump also criticizes Mexico, tariffs on neighboring countries, and global strategies. Trump also stated his intention to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America at the press conference. He suggested that the new name reflect the United States’ effort in the whole region.
Why does Donald Trump want to Rename the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America?
Since 2016, Donald Trump has repeatedly faced arguments with Mexico on various issues including the implementation of tax rates on imported goods to border security. At that time he vowed that he would build a wall on the United States and Mexico border. Furthermore, Mexico will pay the wall charge. The United States even built a 450 miles of wall on the border. The Gulf of Mexico is also known as the Third Coast of the United States. The Spanish version of the Gulf of Mexico is El Golfo de México. Mexicans and Americans have even clashed on the name of water bodies. There is a river that forms the border between Texas and a number of Mexican states including Chihuahua, Nuevo Leon, Coahuila, and Tamaulipas. The people of America call it Rio Grande, while the people of Mexico call it Rio Bravo.
Donald Trump Criticizes Mexico
Trump called Mexico a dangerous place and also expressed his concern about immigration into the United States. Moreover, Millions of people from Mexico are illegally entering the United States which needs to stop. Trump criticizes Mexico. He expressed his concern about the record numbers of drugs coming from Mexico and Canada to the United States. According to him Mexico and Canada both are involved in drug trafficking and illegal immigration. He also talked about imposing tariffs but did not provide any specific evidence of these acts. However, The Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, has not issued any statement about the tariff threads or proposed name change by Donald Trump.
Furthermore, Donald Trump also criticized the Government of Mexico for allowing migrants, for their illegal visits to the United States. Trump stated that the Mexican government could stop them. He said that migrants are coming from both Canada and Mexico and he is going to take serious actions against Canada and Mexico. However, he did not give further details about how he was going to change the name. However, his sudden decision also raised various questions regarding whether the president has the authority to change the name.
How is the President of the United States going to Rename The Gulf of Mexico?
There are certain laws to rename or change the name of any particular place. However, it is not necessary that if the changed name becomes official, it will be recognized by other Nations. The United States Board of Geographic Names has the authority to maintain geographic name usage. It is a federal interagency organization that works in the sector of changing or renaming. Whereas, all works of the board are operated under the Interior secretary.
Names that are proposed for geographical features need approval of BGN. However, BGN does not have the authority to create names. The first native person to serve as a cabinet secretary is Haaland. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene stated that she is planning to rename Mexico through an act of Congress. Further, she added that they are planning to involve legislation for renaming. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene wrote on X, that she has directed her staff members to start the process of drafting for remaining the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America.
Greenland and Panama Canal
In the speech, Trump also gave hints about territorial interests at the border. Moreover, he also refused to take out the military force from Greenland and the Panama Canal. Furthermore, Trump also condemns the behavior of Panama for charging higher fees for American sailing boats that are using the canal. However, the son of Trump, Donald Trump Jr, is visiting Greenland for detailed information. On the other hand, with his visit Trump’s political movement “MAGA” is also aligned.
Has the matter of renaming come up earlier?
In 2012, a Mississippi Legislature member proposed to rename the Gulf of America. The bill did not pass in the Legislature. Eventually, everyone knows about the massive Deepwater Horizon oil spill incident in Mexico. Comedian Stephen Colbert also made a joke regarding this incident. He said that the Gulf of Mexico should be renamed as the Gulf of America.
Conclusion
The people of America are waiting for the next move of Donald Trump. He has stated that he is going to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. Moreover, the president of the United States also said that the name has “a beautiful ring to it”. However, it will be interesting to see the next move of Donald Trump.
