By Admin   May 06, 2025

The Real Reason Behind Trump’s Push to Rename the Gulf of Mexico

Washington, D.C. – The U.S. House of Representatives is preparing to vote on a bill that would officially rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America in all federal documents, maps, and publications. The bill, called the Gulf of America Act, was introduced by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), a close ally of former President Donald Trump.

Under the proposed legislation, all federal agencies would have 180 days to update their internal and public-facing materials to reflect the new name, under the supervision of the Department of the Interior.

This bill aligns with a hypothetical executive order that Donald Trump is said to be planning for the first day of his potential second term in January 2025.

“It’s our gulf. It’s time to make that permanent,” Greene wrote on social media platform X.
Beyond a Name Change: Asserting Maritime Control



The proposal is more than a symbolic gesture—it reflects a growing movement within Trump's inner circle to assert stronger U.S. sovereignty over territorial waters.

Trump advisers pointed to a World Court decision in December 2023, which ruled that ocean waters above a country's continental shelf are not considered international waters, but fall under the control of that coastal nation.

By renaming the Gulf, which lies on the U.S. continental shelf, to “Gulf of America,” Trump’s camp argues the U.S. can legally reinforce its maritime claims, counter foreign influence, and secure strategic control over the area.

“You can’t build a wall on the ocean, but you can draw a line on the map. A name is the first step in establishing legal jurisdiction,” said a Trump administration official familiar with the proposal.
Google Updates Maps, But Media Use Still Divided

Google announced that U.S. users will begin seeing “Gulf of America” on Google Maps, while users in Mexico will continue to see “Gulf of Mexico.” International users may see either term depending on their region and language settings.

Major global media outlets such as the Associated Press, however, continue to use the original term “Gulf of Mexico,” citing the importance of consistency and international understanding.

Part of a Larger Geopolitical Strategy

Renaming the Gulf is part of a broader strategy by Trump’s team to reshape U.S. influence in global maritime and Arctic zones. It follows earlier proposals like purchasing Greenland and increasing American naval presence near the Arctic Circle.

“If Greenland were a U.S. territory like Puerto Rico, we could legally deploy a permanent base there without relying on NATO," a senior advisor explained.
Supporters of the bill argue that if passed, it would codify the name ‘Gulf of America’ into federal law, making it significantly more difficult for future presidents to undo the change without congressional approval.

Conclusion

While critics view the renaming as political theater, supporters claim it’s a strategic move toward reinforcing national identity and defending American territorial rights in an increasingly competitive global maritime landscape.

The Gulf of America Act is expected to stir intense debate in Congress—both symbolically and legally—as it touches on everything from cartography to sovereignty.