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In a bold and controversial series of remarks during his inauguration as the 47th President of the United States on January 20, 2025, Donald J. Trump announced plans to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America” and promised to take back control of the Panama Canal.
Speaking to a crowd of supporters at the U.S. Capitol after taking the oath of office, Trump described the Gulf of Mexico’s current name as a relic of the past. “From this day forward, we will call it the Gulf of America, a name that reflects our pride and sovereignty,” Trump declared, sparking cheers from the audience.
Trump also turned his focus to the Panama Canal, a key trade route transferred to Panama in 1999 under the terms of the Torrijos-Carter Treaties. Describing the handover as a “foolish gift,” Trump claimed the arrangement had undermined U.S. interests and accused China of exploiting the canal’s strategic significance.
“China is operating the Panama Canal. And we didn’t give it to China. We gave it to Panama. And we’re taking it back,” Trump said, without providing details on how his administration plans to address the issue. The remarks mark a return to Trump’s America-first rhetoric, which emphasizes reclaiming U.S. dominance in global affairs. However, analysts warn that such sweeping proposals could strain diplomatic ties and provoke international disputes.