In January 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America,” aiming to “restore American pride” and recognize the Gulf’s significance to the U.S. economy.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum responded with a mix of amusement and defiance. She remarked that while the U.S. could call it the “Gulf of America” on its continental shelf, for Mexico and the rest of the world, it would remain the Gulf of Mexico. Sheinbaum further jested that if the U.S. proceeded with the renaming, Mexico might consider calling the entire continent “América Mexicana.”

The executive order has led to mixed reactions domestically. The U.S. Board on Geographic Names adopted the change, but private entities and international bodies remain divided. Media outlets have varied in their adoption, with CNN anchor Jake Tapper referring to the body of water as the “Gulf of America” during coverage of a NASA astronaut landing. However, some organizations, like the Associated Press, have resisted the change, resulting in restricted access to certain government facilities.

The renaming has sparked debates about national identity and geopolitical relations, with many questioning the implications of such unilateral decisions on international diplomacy.