The proposal adds to a growing list of changes the president-elect has proposed for the world map.
President-elect Donald Trump’s list of proposed changes to the world map just got a little longer.
Delivering his first public remarks since Congress certified his presidential election win on Jan. 6, Trump told reporters on Jan. 7 that he intends to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America.
“The Gulf of America—what a beautiful name. And it’s appropriate,” Trump said at a press conference held at his Palm Beach, Florida, home of Mar-a-Lago.
“We’re approaching the dawn of America’s golden age. It’s going to be a golden age for America.”
Trump’s comments build upon his recent suggestions that the United States buy Greenland, reclaim ownership of the Panama Canal, and annex Canada.
The president-elect has said that incorporating Greenland and Canada would be a strategic move to bolster the U.S. military’s defense against the encroachment of Russian and Chinese warships. He has also said that ownership of the Panama Canal would serve as a bulwark against China’s growing influence in the region, particularly over trade.
Asked for an assurance that he would not use military or economic force to pursue control of those territories, Trump said he had none to offer concerning Greenland or the Panama Canal.
“I can’t assure you on either of those two, but I can say this: We need them for economic security,” he said. “The Panama Canal was built for our military. I’m not going to commit to that now. It might be that you’ll have to do something.”
The United States built the Panama Canal in the early 20th century and retained control of the waterway until two 1977 treaties signed by President Jimmy Carter allowed joint control of the canal with Panama until 1999, after which Panama took full sovereignty. The treaties stipulated that the canal must remain a neutral trade route.
Trump pointed out that Panama has awarded operational control of the two ports at the canal’s Pacific and Atlantic entrances to Hong Kong-based CK Hutchinson Holdings.
“China is at both ends of the Panama Canal. China is running the Panama Canal,” he said, calling Carter’s deal “a disgrace.”
Trump also accused Panama of overcharging the United States for access to the canal.
“They’ve overcharged our ships, overcharged our Navy, and then when they need repair money, they come to the United States to put it up. We get nothing,” he said. “Those days are over.”
Trump also said he would use “economic force” to gain control of the nation’s northern neighbor, adding that the move would be “much better for national security.”
The president-elect noted that the United States spends “hundreds of billions a year” to protect Canada despite being $36 trillion in debt.
“Why are we supporting a country $200 billion-plus a year? Our military is at their disposal, all of these other things. They should be a state,” Trump said.
The president-elect’s press conference followed his eldest son’s arrival in Greenland earlier that morning to help assess local support for the Danish territory becoming part of the United States.
“Incredible people with an equally awesome reception. They just want to be able to utilize some of the incredible resources that they have and allow themselves, their country, and their kids to flourish.”
Trump also took to social media to mention the trip, writing on his Truth Social platform that “the reception has been great.”
Greenlanders, “and the Free World, need safety, security, strength, and PEACE!” he wrote. “This is a deal that must happen. MAGA. MAKE GREENLAND GREAT AGAIN!”
Leaders in Panama, Canada, and Denmark have bristled at Trump’s proposals.
“There isn’t a snowball’s chance in hell that Canada would become part of the United States,” Trudeau said on X on Jan. 7. “Workers and communities in both our countries benefit from being each other’s biggest trading and security partner.”
Frank Fang, Matthew Horwood, and Tom Ozimek contributed to this report.
