US President Donald Trump has caused a stir with his latest executive orders issued on his first day back in the Oval Office. One of the most controversial measures was the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to the "Gulf of America".
The order, titled Restoring Names that Honour American Greatness, justifies the renaming by highlighting the importance of the Gulf to the United States. The Gulf, it claims, has been a crucial part of the nation’s economy, with its "bountiful geology" providing around 14 per cent of the country’s crude oil. It also supports "vibrant American fisheries" and is a popular tourist destination. Trump’s order describes the Gulf as "an indelible part of America" and essential in shaping the future of the country.
However, despite its significance to the US, this body of water also borders other countries. So, can the US President unilaterally rename it? Legally, yes. The US can change the name within its own territory.
The Board on Geographic Names (BGN), a federal body formed in 1890, is responsible for maintaining uniform geographic names across the United States. Trump's executive order instructs the Secretary of the Interior to take "all appropriate actions" to change the name of the Gulf to the Gulf of America. The order also requires that all federal references to the Gulf reflect the new name. Additionally, the Geographic Names Information System will be updated accordingly.
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The BGN has typically been reluctant to approve changes to widely accepted geographic names. However, this executive order signals a shift in the composition of the board. It is clear that Trump intends for the renaming to go ahead. But while the US may decide to call it the Gulf of America, it is unlikely that other countries will follow suit.
Mexico’s President, Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, quickly responded by pointing out that the Gulf is part of a wider international community. She jokingly suggested that perhaps the US should be renamed "Mexican America" in return. She emphasised that Mexico and other nations would continue to use the name Gulf of Mexico.
The International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) publishes a volume called Limits of Oceans and Seas, which includes the Gulf of Mexico. However, the IHO notes that the publication is meant only for mariners and has no political significance. It has not been updated since 1953 due to a dispute over the name of a body of water between Japan and South Korea. Japan refers to it as the Sea of Japan, while South Korea advocates for it to be called the East Sea. This ongoing disagreement over naming conventions shows how difficult it can be to alter globally recognised geographic names.
Place names, also known as toponyms, carry significant emotional and historical weight. They often reflect national identity, sovereignty, and historical claims. Changing a place name can therefore be a highly politicised matter. For example, the dispute over the Sea of Japan/East Sea relates to Korea’s painful history of Japanese colonial rule. Similarly, the Falkland Islands, which are claimed by both Britain and Argentina, are the subject of heated diplomatic tensions.
One of the most complex geopolitical disputes over place names involves the South China Sea. This body of water is referred to as the South Sea (Nan Hai) by China, the West Philippine Sea by the Philippines, and the East Sea (Biển Đông) by Vietnam. Additionally, the Spratly Islands, which are located in the South China Sea, are called different names in various languages. This international disagreement demonstrates how place names can be deeply tied to territorial claims and political disputes.
In the US, Trump's renaming of the Gulf of Mexico is part of a wider trend of changing names to eliminate colonial references. In the same executive order, he also reversed President Barack Obama’s decision to rename North America’s highest peak from Mount McKinley back to Denali. While Trump’s order attacks Obama’s legacy, it maintains that the national park surrounding Denali will retain its name.
Ultimately, while Trump has the authority to rename the Gulf of Mexico within the US, it is unlikely that the rest of the world will recognise the change. Most countries will likely continue to refer to it as the Gulf of Mexico, just as Mexico will not change its name to "Mexican America". Even if the name change is adopted by the US, it may not last long. Four years from now, the new administration may decide to reverse it again.
In conclusion, while Trump’s executive order may cause controversy within the US, its global impact will likely be minimal. The Gulf of Mexico, for the rest of the world, will remain just that.
via The Conversation
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