Mexican President Reacts to Trump's Gulf of America Plan: 'For the Entire World It Is Still the Gulf of Mexico'

Claudia Sheinbaum's statement comes after U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order to officially rename the body of water

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Rachel Raposas
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Rachel Raposas is a Digital News Writer at PEOPLE. She has been working at PEOPLE since 2024.
Published on January 21, 2025 01:40PM EST
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Claudia Sheinbaum and Trump
From Left: Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum; and U.S. President Donald Trump.Credit :

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AmidDonald Trump's efforts to change the Gulf of Mexico's name, the President of Mexico is standing firm.

After the 47th president signed anexecutive order declaring that the Gulf of Mexico be renamed the Gulf of America on Monday, Jan. 20, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum told reporters that for the American part of the body of water, Trump can call it whatever he likes. But for the American part only, she said.

"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," Sheinbaum, 62, said on Tuesday, Jan. 21, per theAssociated Press.

Trump, 78,first announced the idea for the Gulf of America on Jan. 7, sharing in a press conference that he thought the change was "appropriate."

"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," he said. "The Gulf of America, what a beautiful name."

Trump Tries to End Birthright Citizenship with Executive Order in Move That’s Likely to Be Challenged
US President-elect Donald Trump arrives for inauguration ceremonies in the Rotunda of the US Capitol on January 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. Donald Trump takes office for his second term as the 47th president of the United States. Trump takes office for his second non-consecutive term as the 47th president of the United States.
Donald Trump at his inauguration on Jan. 20, 2025.

CHIP SOMODEVILLA/POOL/AFP via Getty

He repeated his intention to move forward with the name change during his inaugural speech on Monday, and later that day, he signed an executive order to make it happen.

According to theWhite House, the order said "the area formerly known as the Gulf of Mexico has long been an integral asset to our once burgeoning Nation and has remained an indelible part of America." It ended by noting, "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."

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Lately, Trump has had his sights set abroad. When Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeauannounced his resignation as the leader of the country's liberal party on Jan. 6, the president suggested Canada become the51st U.S. state.

That same day, Trump posted to Truth Social about his desire to also add Greenland to the United States.

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during inauguration ceremonies in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol on January 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. Donald Trump takes office for his second term as the 47th president of the United States.
Donald Trump at his inauguration on Jan. 20, 2025.

Chip Somodevilla/Getty 

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He wrote, "Greenland is an incredible place, and the people will benefit tremendously if, and when, it becomes part of our Nation. We will protect it, and cherish it, from a very vicious outside World. MAKE GREENLAND GREAT AGAIN!"

One day later on Jan. 7, Trump sent his son, Donald Trump Jr., to Greenland for anunofficial and private visit.

Even more recently, Trump expressed interest inretaking the Panama Canal from Panama. Before he was inaugurated, Trump said he wouldn't rule out employing military force to do so. In December, Panama's President, José Raúl Mulino, responded similarly to Sheinbaum — that his country will maintain its authority over the territory.

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