Mexican America’: Mexico Suggests New Name For US After Trump Plans Renaming Of Gulf Of Mexico

In a clever retort to US President-elect Donald Trump’s controversial suggestion to rename the Gulf of Mexico, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum proposed that the United States itself should be called “Mexican America.”

During her press conference on Wednesday, Sheinbaum held up a 17th-century map that depicted North America as “Mexican America,” using it to poke fun at Trump’s bold claim that the Gulf of Mexico should be renamed to the “Gulf of America.” Trump, who is set to begin his second term on January 20, defended his proposal, stating the new name had “a beautiful ring” and was a fitting reflection of the United States’ position in relation to its southern neighbor.

Sheinbaum, however, turned the tables with her playful comment: “If we’re talking about names, why don’t we call it Mexican America? Doesn’t that sound nice?”
The move comes as part of Sheinbaum’s broader diplomatic approach, emphasizing that while Trump’s administration is focused on immigration and territorial names, Mexico is eager to maintain a positive relationship with the incoming US leadership. Despite the rhetoric around immigration, Sheinbaum expressed confidence in continued cooperation, stating, “We expect to have good relations with the incoming US president.”

Trump’s remarks about renaming the Gulf were framed within his administration’s stance on curbing illegal immigration, which he argued was a significant issue in the bilateral relationship. But Sheinbaum’s response highlights the growing playfulness between the two nations, even amidst serious geopolitical conversations.