‘Indelible Part Of USA’: Trump Renames Gulf of Mexico, Declares Feb 9 As ‘Gulf Of America Day’
Donald Trump's move comes as tension between his administration and Mexico have been on the rise after he announced 25% tariffs on the Mexican imports, a move which he paused later.
US President Donald Trump signed an executive order to officially rename the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America" on Sunday as he also announced to celebrate February 9 as the “Gulf of America Day".
The move comes at a time when tensions between the Trump administration and neighbouring Mexico have been heightened following his threat to impose 25% tariffs on Mexican imports. However, he later had paused the move after Mexico agreed to deploy 10,000 of its National Guard troops on the border.
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The renaming came as part of an executive order named “Restoring Names That Honor American Greatness", directing the US secretary of the interior to formalise the change of name within 30 days.
Trump’s executive order noted that the renamed Gulf covers the “US Continental Shelf area bounded on the northeast, north, and northwest by the State of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida, extending to the seaward boundary with Mexico and Cuba", according to the White House.
According to the White House, Donald Trump said that he took the decision in part because as stated in the order “‘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".
Trump highlighted the significance of the renaming as he flew over the Gulf of Mexico aboard Air Force One from Palm Beach, Florida, to New Orleans for Super Bowl LIX.
“As my administration restores American pride in the history of American greatness, it is fitting and appropriate for our great Nation to come together and commemorate this momentous occasion and the renaming of the Gulf of America," Fox5 DC quoted Trump as saying.
Trump’s proclamation also called for officials and citizens to celebrate ‘Gulf of America Day’ with “appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities".
In the past, the body of water now called the Gulf of America was known as the “Mexican Bay" (Seno Mexicano) until the early 1800s. The name “Gulf of Mexico" came from Spanish explorers, who named it after Mexico because of its long coastline, as recorded in history.
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