Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum is currently at odds with tech giant Google over a contentious issue involving geographical naming. At a press conference on Thursday, Sheinbaum expressed her disapproval of Google’s decision to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America.” This move comes in the wake of former President Donald Trump’s executive order, which aimed to rename the Gulf, but only concerning the continental shelf that belongs to the United States.
Sheinbaum, pushing back against what she views as an overreach by Google, has threatened to take legal action if necessary. “We do have a dispute with Google at the moment,” Sheinbaum asserted. “And if necessary, we will file a civil suit.” Her objections are rooted in the belief that Google’s actions exceed the scope of Trump’s executive order. As she pointed out, “What we are saying to Google is: check the order that was issued by the White House and signed by President Trump. You will see that it does not refer to the entire Gulf, but to the continental shelf.”
The Mexican President further disclosed that she had addressed the issue directly with Google, sending a letter that protested the name change. However, according to Sheinbaum, Google’s response was not favorable. “If they continue to insist, we will too,” she added, indicating that Mexico might escalate the issue to court. “We are even thinking of a lawsuit because they are even naming Mexican territory, which is our continental shelf.”
This issue has gained additional traction because both Google and Apple have adopted the name change in their map applications, which are widely considered as the most popular platforms globally. In a statement, Google clarified the visibility of the new name depending on the user’s location: “People using Maps in the US will see ‘Gulf of America,’ and people in Mexico will see ‘Gulf of Mexico.’ Everyone else will see both names.”
Trump’s executive order, titled “Restoring Names That Honor American Greatness,” underscores the essential role the Gulf has played historically and continues to play in America’s economy. The order reads, “The area formerly known as the Gulf of Mexico has long been an integral asset to our once burgeoning Nation and has remained an indelible part of America.
JUST IN: Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum threatens Google with lawsuit if the company does not revert name "Gulf of America" back to "Gulf of Mexico" – Reuters pic.twitter.com/meslzIISFd
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The Gulf was a crucial artery for America’s early trade and global commerce.” Highlighting its impressive geographical significance, Trump stated that the Gulf represents the largest gulf in the world, with the U.S. coastline stretching over 1,700 miles and containing nearly 160 million acres. “The Gulf will continue to play a pivotal role in shaping America’s future and the global economy,” the order continues.
In a similar vein, Trump has also initiated the renaming of Denali Mountain in Alaska to Mount McKinley, honoring the 25th President of the United States, whom Trump regards as his favorite past president. This parallel move underscores Trump’s broader agenda of restoring and honoring what he considers critical elements of American heritage and greatness.