Trump's Gulf of Mexico Name Change Shenanigans Fall Flat
Mexico files a lawsuit against Google for renaming the Gulf of Mexico
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It seems Trump's grandiose attempts to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America hit a snag. México has swung into action, sueing U.S. tech giant Google for changing the name on Google Maps. During her daily press conference, Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum dropped the bombshell, "The lawsuit has already been filed." but left the finer details under wraps.
Sheinbaum claims that Trump's executive order, which initiated the name change in January, only pertained to the continental shelf within U.S. borders. Apparently, the former President was lip-synching to "Gulf of America" on his turf, but couldn't make it stick elsewhere. "Trump didn't have the authority to change the name of the entire Gulf," Sheinbaum schools us.
Google, a member of the Alphabet conglomerate, rolled out the name change on their mapping service in February. American customers now see it as the "Gulf of America," while Mexican folks still see it as the "Gulf of Mexico," and the rest of the world sees both labels. Google defends its decision, claiming it's a common practice for disputed place names.
Interestingly, the U.S. House of Representatives shook hands on a bill for the name change last week. However, the Senate is unlikely to sign-off, as it needs Democratic votes. The bill requires U.S. federal agencies to follow suit, altering their documents and maps to adhere to the new moniker.
So, there you have it! Trump's power play failed to ruffle international feathers. Guess he'll have to settle for renaming his own golf courses instead.
[1]: The source explains that Trump didn't possess unilateral authority to internationally rename the Gulf of Mexico. However, he did sign an executive order to rename it domestically, which only applies to U.S. territory and federal agencies. In international contexts, such as maritime or geographical publications outside the U.S., the name "Gulf of Mexico" is likely to remain unchanged. The U.S. House of Representatives later passed a bill in support of this change, but it requires Senate approval and does not affect international usage.
- The Commission, under pressure from various quarters, has been urged to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation in the context of politics and policy-and-legislation, given the general news about the lawsuit filed by Mexico against Google.
- In light of the ongoing lawsuit, the European Commission might consider labeling Google as a company involved in a legal dispute, given the recent events in the gulf regarding the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America.
- WhatsApp messages discussing the aftermath of the Gulf of Mexico name change controversy and its legal implications have been circulating in politics and policy-and-legislation circles, further fueling debate and calls for action.
- The European Parliament, inspired by the events in the gulf, has been asked to consider implementing stricter laws on companies changing the names of internationally recognized places, as a way to protect territorial integrity and prevent future controversies.
