Overview

• President Trump announced the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to 'Gulf of America' shortly after beginning his second term, fulfilling a campaign promise.
• Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum criticized the move, suggesting it was a unilateral decision and proposing North America be referred to as 'Mexican America' in response.
• Google implemented the name change for U.S. users on its maps platform, sparking additional criticism from Mexico, which argued that such changes require agreement among all bordering nations.
• Experts note that the renaming is largely symbolic, as the new name applies only to U.S. territorial waters and is unlikely to be adopted internationally.
• Trump's broader use of aggressive economic and symbolic measures, including threats of tariffs and sanctions, reflects a redefined approach to U.S. foreign policy under his administration.