In the fiery press conference at Mar-a-Lago, which also featured suggestions of annexing Canada, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump also stirred controversy by proposing to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America.” “We’re going to be changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, which has a beautiful ring that covers a lot of territory,” Trump declared. “What a beautiful name.”

The 600,000-square-mile ocean basin, shared by the United States, Mexico, and Cuba, became the latest subject of Trump’s rhetoric as he outlined his grievances with neighboring countries and announced plans for new tariffs on Mexico. His remarks were delivered in a broader context of speculation about acquiring Canada, Greenland, and even the Panama Canal, refusing to rule out military intervention to achieve these objectives.

The Legal and Historical Context

The Gulf of Mexico, while bordered by the United States and Mexico, is an international body of water, with jurisdiction and resource rights divided among the bordering nations under international law. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), established in 1982, grants countries territorial waters extending 12 nautical miles from their shores and exclusive economic zones (EEZs) up to 200 nautical miles. Within these zones, nations have sovereign rights over natural resources but must comply with international navigation and environmental laws.

For the U.S. and Mexico, treaties signed in 1978 and 2000 define boundaries and govern resource management within the Gulf. These agreements underscore the shared nature of the Gulf, making unilateral renaming efforts diplomatically contentious and legally improbable.

The Gulf of Mexicos name, first formalized as “Seno Mexicano” (Mexican Gulf) in early Spanish maps, has evolved over centuries. First encountered by European explorers in the early 16th century, the body of water was initially referred to as the “North Sea” or “Mare de Nort” in early maps. Sebastian de Ocampo, a Spanish explorer, is credited with the first European navigation of the Gulf between 1508 and 1509.

Over time, the Gulf became an essential route for Spanish colonizers, facilitating their conquest of Mexico and the establishment of colonies throughout the Americas. In 1584, a map by Baptiste Boazio labeled the region “Gulf of Mexico,” a name that gained prominence in subsequent centuries. Its current designation is widely recognized in international law and cartography. Efforts to change such an entrenched name could have far-reaching geopolitical implications.

Reactions from Mexico and Beyond

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, the country’s first female president, responded with humor and a touch of historical irony. At her daily press conference, she displayed a colonial-era map of North America labeled “Amrica Mexicana” (Mexican America). Suggesting the name be restored, she quipped, Mexican America, that sounds nice.

Sheinbaums remarks highlighted the deep historical ties between the two nations, with parts of the modern United States once belonging to Mexico. Her response also emphasized the shared cultural and geographical heritage of the Gulf, which she referred to as “El Golfo de Mxico.”

Beyond Mexico, Trumps statement drew criticism from other Latin American countries, where the Gulf of Mexico holds significant cultural and economic importance. Critics argued that renaming the Gulf would disregard its historical roots and the shared interests of bordering nations.

Feasibility of Renaming the Gulf

While the U.S. federal government manages its portion of the Gulf’s waters, renaming an international body of water is far from straightforward. International agreements and historical precedents heavily favor maintaining existing names. Experts have pointed out that such a move would require cooperation and consensus among the affected nationsa prospect made unlikely by the contentious nature of Trump’s proposal.

Renaming the Gulf of Mexico to “Gulf of America” would also face resistance domestically. The region, known as the “Third Coast” in the U.S., holds cultural and historical significance for Gulf Coast states like Texas, Florida, and Louisiana. Many residents and stakeholders might view the change as unnecessary or disruptive.