In response to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s proposal to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America,” Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum humorously suggested that former Mexican territories in the U.S. be called “Mexican America.”
During a press conference, Sheinbaum highlighted that regions such as California and Texas were part of Mexico until the 19th century. Displaying a colonial-era map from 1607, she remarked, “We’re going to call it ‘Mexican America’; it sounds nice, doesn’t it?”
Trump’s initial proposal to rename the Gulf of Mexico was made during a press conference where he also suggested making Canada a U.S. state and did not dismiss the possibility of using force to acquire Greenland or take control of the Panama Canal. These statements have raised concerns about potential impacts on international relations and existing trade agreements, such as the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).
Canadian leaders have also responded to Trump’s remarks. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated there was “a snowball’s chance in hell” of Canada becoming part of the U.S., while Ontario Premier Doug Ford humorously countered by suggesting Canada could purchase U.S. states like Alaska and Minnesota.
Sheinbaum’s retort reflects a more assertive stance compared to her predecessor, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, who maintained a conciliatory relationship with Trump. Her administration is preparing for potential challenges, including mass deportations and increased U.S. pressure on drug cartels, alongside the possibility of a trade war.
