MEXICO CITY — President Claudia Sheinbaum of Mexico reacted with sarcasm on Wednesday to the suggestion made by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America.
During her routine press conference while standing next to a global map, Sheinbaum cleverly suggested that North America should be called “América Mexicana,” or “Mexican America,” referencing an 1814 document that predated Mexico’s own constitution which used that term.
“That sounds nice, no?” she playfully remarked, reinforcing her point with a tone of irony. She emphasized that the Gulf of Mexico has carried that name since 1607, underlining its long-standing historical significance.
This light-hearted jab opens up broader discussions about the future of diplomatic relations between the two bordering nations, given the newly-elected Sheinbaum’s potential approach to Trump’s previously aggressive demeanor concerning immigration policies and extensive tariffs on trade partners like Mexico.
Sheinbaum’s predecessor, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, who represented a form of populism akin to Trump although with a more leftist bend, successfully managed to cultivate an alliance with Trump. This included actions taken by his government to deter migrants from heading north, a tactic that benefited Trump politically.
However, it remains uncertain how Sheinbaum, as Mexico’s first female president and a scientist by training, will navigate this complex relationship, given her distinct political persona and lack of the charismatic populism evident in López Obrador.
The humorous exchange gained traction across social media platforms quickly, setting a potential tone for future interactions between Sheinbaum and Trump.
“Using humor can serve as an effective strategy, demonstrating strength, which is something Trump responds to. It was likely a prudent move in this context,” noted Brian Winter, vice president of the Council of the Americas based in New York.
Winter acknowledged that while humor could not serve as a universal tactic, it helps to establish a dialogue, especially given that Trump and his administration will expect substantial cooperation on crucial issues like immigration, drug trafficking, and trade relations.
This exchange comes on the heels of Sheinbaum’s stern yet collaborative approach regarding Trump’s proposals.
In response to Trump’s idea of imposing a 25% tariff on Mexican goods, Sheinbaum firmly warned that her administration would impose reciprocal tariffs should such measures be enacted. She emphasized that implementing any form of tax would be “unacceptable and harmful, leading to inflation and job loss on both sides.”
On the subject of immigration, her stance has shifted to align more closely with Mexico’s prior efforts to limit migrant flow northward in response to increasing U.S. pressure.
Initially, she had indicated that her administration would insist the Trump administration deport migrants back to their countries of origin. However, in January, she softened her tone, stating that Mexico would consider accepting deportees from other nations but would likely set limits based on nationality or seek compensation.