Trump Plans to Rename Gulf of Mexico; Here’s Why

On his first day in office, President Donald Trump signed several executive orders, including renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. In his inaugural address, Trump declared that the U.S. would take its place as the greatest, most powerful, and most respected nation in the world.

The proposed renaming was revealed by Trump at a press conference at Mar-a-Lago in January, where he expressed his conviction that it is both justified and indicative of a larger vision for American sovereignty. He also stated that cartels presently rule the Gulf and reaffirmed his support for fortifying US borders, according to an ABC report.

Where is the Gulf of Mexico?

The Gulf of Mexico, which Trump intends to rename, is an essential waterbody for North America. With a total area of about 600,000 square miles, it is the tenth-largest body of water in the world.

Spanish explorers used this name for the first time in the 16th century before the United States was discovered.

Earlier this month, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum showcased a 1607 map that identified the Gulf of Mexico and referred to North America as "Mexican America."

The US State Department states that the US-Mexico maritime border in the Gulf of Mexico starts at the middle of the mouth of the Rio Grande, wherever it may be, and follows a predetermined path.

The Gulf of Mexico is divided between the US and Mexico, with each country having maritime jurisdiction over its respective portion.

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Why is the Gulf of Mexico Important for US?

The US economy depends heavily on the Gulf of Mexico, which is home to almost half of the country's capacity for processing natural gas and refining petroleum.

With around 97% of all US Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) oil and gas production, it continues to be the country's top offshore producer.

According to the Environmental Defense Fund and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, it also supplies over 40% of the seafood consumed in America.

Is it Possible to Change the Gulf of Mexico Name?

As president, Trump could advocate for changes to the geographical names used within the United States. In 2015, former President Barack Obama renamed an Alaskan peak from McKinley to Denali using his administrative authority. Trump, however, has promised to undo it.

In an email to The New York Times, International Hydrographic Organization head John Nyberg stated that there is currently no official international agreement or protocol in place for renaming marine territories. 

On its website, the US Board on Geographic Names, a division of the US Geological Survey, states that it will only take name changes into consideration where there are "compelling" grounds. “Generally, "it says, “the most important policy regarding names is local use and acceptance."

No Executive Order Yet

Unlike Trump’s other announcements on Monday, the name change has not yet been made official through an executive order. However, he mentioned it would happen "soon."