The President of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, has asserted that the Gulf will continue to be recognized by its historic name worldwide.
On his second inaugural day as President of the United States, Donald Trump swiftly enacted numerous executive orders.
By January 21, the White House’s official site showcased 25 executive orders, including one focused on ‘restoring names that honor American greatness’.
This particular order emphasizes the importance of celebrating the nation’s heritage and ensuring that future generations recognize the legacy of American heroes by naming national treasures after them. This includes natural wonders and historic artworks that reflect the significant contributions of past Americans.
Two examples cited in the order include renaming North America’s tallest peak to ‘Mount McKinley’ in homage to President McKinley, and another significant change is renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the ‘Gulf of America’.
The executive order highlights the Gulf’s crucial role in the early trade and global commerce of the United States, describing it as ‘an integral asset’ and ‘a crucial artery for America’s early trade’.
In recognition of the Gulf’s natural resources and wildlife, the order states: “The Gulf will continue to play a pivotal role in shaping America’s future and the global economy, and in recognition of this flourishing economic resource and its critical importance to our Nation’s economy and its people, I am directing that it officially be renamed the Gulf of America.”
Reacting to this, Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum commented on the executive order, noting that while Trump may choose to label the Gulf as he wishes, it will remain known as the Gulf of Mexico internationally.
In a briefing on Tuesday morning (January 21), Sheinbaum stated, as reported by DW.com: “He says that he will call it the ‘Gulf of America’ on its continental shelf. For us it is still the Gulf of Mexico and for the entire world it is still the Gulf of Mexico.”
Further in her speech, she emphasized the importance of maintaining composure and adhering to signed agreements rather than just speeches.
She added: “Regarding the decrees that President Donald Trump signed yesterday, I would like to say the following: The people of Mexico can be sure that we will always defend our sovereignty and our independence.”