President-elect Donald Trump sent shockwaves through the political world Tuesday after announcing plans to impose hefty tariffs on Canada and Mexico and proposing to rename the Gulf of Mexico the “Gulf of America.”
Speaking from his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida, Trump, 78, outlined sweeping changes as he gears up to return to the White House on January 20.
“We’re going to be changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America,” Trump declared. “It has a beautiful ring to it, and it’s appropriate. The Gulf of America covers a lot of territory — it’s just a great name.”
Tariffs Loom for North American Neighbors
Trump reaffirmed his stance on cracking down on illegal immigration and drug trafficking, vowing to slap 25% tariffs on both Canada and Mexico if they fail to address his concerns.
“Mexico has to stop allowing millions of people to pour into our country,” Trump said. “They can stop them, and we’re going to put very serious tariffs on Mexico and Canada because drugs are coming through at record numbers.”
These threats echo Trump’s rhetoric following his November 5 election win, with experts speculating that his hardline stance may be a negotiating tactic. Leaders in both Canada and Mexico have expressed their willingness to work with the incoming administration.
Talk of Annexation and Global Ambitions
During the press conference, Trump revisited bold ideas, including Canada potentially becoming the 51st state and the U.S. acquiring Greenland and the Panama Canal Zone.
“Canada is subsidized to the tune of about $200 billion a year. They rely on our military. It’s all fine, but they’ve got to pay for that,” Trump said, adding a playful remark about encouraging hockey legend Wayne Gretzky to run for prime minister.
Trump’s son, Donald Trump Jr., is actively visiting Greenland, courting its 56,000 residents to support a break from Denmark and align with the United States. Trump suggested Denmark might not even have a legal claim to the territory, warning Copenhagen against intervening, or else facing steep tariffs.
Legislative Support and Biden’s Rebuke
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) quickly voiced support for renaming the Gulf of Mexico. “I’ll be introducing legislation ASAP to officially change the name to the Gulf of America!” she announced on X.
Meanwhile, retiring President Joe Biden indirectly criticized Trump’s remarks, praising outgoing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for strengthening U.S.-Canada relations. “The American and Canadian people are safer because of him,” Biden tweeted.
Trump also hinted at escalating tensions over the Panama Canal, accusing China of exerting control in the region. While he refrained from ruling out military force, he emphasized the need for economic leverage to secure key territories for U.S. interests.
A Vision for Continental Unity
Concluding his remarks, Trump mused on the potential benefits of dissolving the U.S.-Canada border. “You get rid of that artificially drawn line, and you take a look at what that looks like — much better for national security,” he said.
As Trump prepares for his second term, his bold proposals and global ambitions are already sparking heated debates and raising questions about America’s future alliances.
