'Why don't we call it América Mexicana?': Mexico President's befitting counter to Trump's rename proposal

Beyond the name change proposal, Sheinbaum also addressed Trump’s threat to impose a 25% tariff on Mexican imports.

Claudia Sheinbaum, Mexico's newly inaugurated president, responded swiftly and decisively to Donald Trump’s proposal to rename the Gulf of Mexico. At a press conference on on January 8, she presented a 400-year-old map of North America, labelled 'América Mexicana' (Mexican America), as part of her rebuttal to the comments of the US president-elect.

The 1607 map

Holding the 1607 map aloft, Sheinbaum suggested, with a wry smile, "Why don’t we call it Mexican America? It sounds pretty, no?" Her comment, though lighthearted, had a serious undertone. “They misinformed him,” Sheinbaum continued, referring to Trump’s controversial remarks about Mexico’s sovereignty. "In Mexico, the people rule. We are a free, independent, and sovereign country. We will always defend that."

Trump’s proposal

In a recent public statement, Trump proposed rechristening the Gulf of Mexico as the 'Gulf of America' and argued that it better reflected US dominance in the region. The former as well as the next president also repeated his long-standing criticism of Mexico, claiming it was "essentially run by the cartels".

Rep Marjorie Taylor Greene, a vocal ally of Trump, expressed support for the proposal, pledging to introduce a legislation to make the name change official. Trump’s idea quickly gained traction among his base, further needling the strained ties between the US and Mexico.

Trade and immigration tensions escalate

Beyond the name change proposal, Sheinbaum also addressed Trump’s threat to impose a 25 percent tariff on Mexican imports. She made it clear that Mexico would respond with matching tariffs, indicating the possibility of another trade war unfolding.

On the immigration front, Sheinbaum suggested that Mexico could revise its policies on deportations, limiting the number of deportees it accepts and potentially demanding compensation from the US government to cover the costs of handling such returns.

While Sheinbaum’s suggestion to rename the continent 'Mexican America' was likely made in jest, it reflected her firm stance on defending Mexico’s sovereignty. The map she presented served as a visual reminder of Mexico's historical and cultural roots, offering a powerful counter to Trump’s territorial remarks.

As tensions between the two leaders escalate, Sheinbaum has made it clear that she will not back down when it comes to defending Mexico’s national interests.