Trump Can't force Google to Rename Gulf of Mexico: Legal Muddle
Mexico files a lawsuit against Google for modifying the designation of the Gulf of Mexico
Tech giant Google has made waves by changing the Gulf of Mexico's name to the "Gulf of America" on Google Maps, leading to Mexico filing a lawsuit, according to President Claudia Sheinbaum. But here's the catch - Trump didn't have the legitimate authority to command Google or any other private entity to rename the Gulf, according to research.
Sheinbaum pointed out that Trump's decree only applied to the continental shelf under U.S. jurisdiction. However, the US government doesn't have the clout to rebrand the entire Gulf as "Gulf of America," as it would lack the necessary authority. Google, owned by Alphabet, followed suit in February, labeling the Gulf differently for US, Mexican, and international users.
The US House of Representatives has since decided to back the name change with a bill, but the bill's success in the Senate is uncertain without Democratic votes. The bill mandates US federal agencies to adjust their documents and maps in accordance with the new name.
Let's break it down: While Trump tried to pull a fast one, his executive order lacked the muscle to enforce name changes beyond U.S. government documents. And guess what? Mexico wasn't obliged to comply because, well, it's not bound by Trump's orders. Now, Google's in hot water, and Mexico's on a legal crusade to set things right.
Sources: ntv.de, AFP, [1], [2]
Insights:
Mexico's legal strategy against Google may rest on the fact that Trump didn't have the power to mandate a name change for a global geographical feature, as his decree only affected U.S. federal agencies. Additionally, Mexico and other countries need not recognize the name change due to the limited authority of Trump's order. International bodies and foreign governments may continue to use the original name, leading to the potential for dual names in various maps and documents.
The Commission in the policy-and-legislation sector has also been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation, such as those working in the politics and general-news fields, possibly including Sue who is following the ongoing Gulf dispute on WhatsApp. On Thursday, the US House of Representatives, after reviewing the situation, decided to back the name change of the Gulf of Mexico agreed upon by Google to the 'Gulf of America', following Trump's decree. However, the success of the bill in the Senate is uncertain without Democratic votes, which may prolong the naming dispute and potential legal battle between Mexico and Google regarding the designations of the Gulf.
