Mexico one-ups Trump, suggests renaming continent as Mexican America
2 Min Read
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum responds to Trump's responses in a mirror-like fashion after he suggested renamig the Gulf of Mexico.
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Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum gives a media briefing from the National Palace in Mexico City, on October 2, 2024, the morning after her inauguration. (AP)
Mexican President Clauna Sheinbaum one-upped Donald Trump after he suggested renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America.
During her daily press briefing, Sheinbaum stood before a global map and suggested that the American continent be named "America Mexicana" or "Mexican America", citing an 1814 founding document that referred to the region as such, even before Mexico's constitution was instituted.
“That sounds nice, no?” she sarcastically added, clarifying that the ocean basin enclosed by the US Gulf coast, Mexico’s eastern states, and the island of Cuba has been known as the Gulf of Mexico since 1607.
Trump made his remarks on Tuesday, saying "It’s appropriate. And Mexico has to stop allowing millions of people to pour into our country." He also claimed Mexico was run by drug cartels, to which Sheinbaum responded "In Mexico, the people rule."
In this context, CNN reported on Wednesday that Trump's team is revisiting plans to designate Mexican cartels as "terrorist organizations", a scheme that did not materialize during his first term.
What would a Sheinbaum-Trump relationship look like?
According to The Guardian, the exchange between both leaders prompted bigger questions about the nature of the bilateral relationship Trump and Sheinbaum could develop, in light of the former's "strong-handed" approach, as well as the potential mass deportations and colossal tariffs and taxes he intends to impose.
While former Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador managed to build a relatively constructive relationship with Trump, particularly by limiting migration to the US, it remains unclear whether Sheinbaum would be able to achieve the same outcome.
As her joke made its rounds on social media, Brian Winter, vice president of the New York-based Council of the Americas, said, "Humor can be a good tactic. It projects strength, which is what Trump responds to. It was probably the right choice on this issue."
He further noted that humor cannot resolve all potential issues, a reality Sheinbaum is very aware of, stating that Trump's administration would demand serious engagement from Mexico on major issues, such as immigration, drugs, and trade.
Read more: Trump's comeback marked with territorial ambitions, petty criticism
