WASHINGTON – President-elect Donald Trump has announced plans to sign an executive order renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America,” according to ABC News.
During a press conference at Mar-a-Lago in January, Trump justified the change by criticizing cartel activity in the region and asserting U.S. ownership of the waters.
“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, the Gulf of America,” Trump said.
“What a beautiful name. And it’s appropriate. It’s appropriate. And Mexico has to stop allowing millions of people to pour into our country.”
Presidents do have the authority to rename geographic regions through executive orders.
The Gulf of Mexico is a large ocean basin and marginal sea of the Atlantic Ocean, bordered by the southeastern United States, Mexico, and Cuba.
It spans approximately 600,000 square miles and is known for its warm waters, diverse marine life, and significant oil and gas reserves.
The Gulf plays a vital role in commerce, fishing, and tourism, with major ports like New Orleans and Houston facilitating international trade.