Mexico is not happy.
Mexico has launched a high-profile lawsuit against Google over its decision to rename the “Gulf of Mexico” to the “Gulf of America” on Google Maps—a direct response to an executive order signed by President Donald Trump earlier this year. The move is drawing global attention and fueling debates about tech overreach, border sovereignty, and U.S. leadership under Trump’s America First agenda.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed the legal action during a press conference on Friday. Though details remain sparse, this international lawsuit represents a broader backlash against American tech influence and U.S. geopolitical authority.
President Trump signed the executive order on his first day back in office, renaming the northern section of the gulf—located over the U.S. continental shelf—as the “Gulf of America.” Almost immediately, Google Maps updated its U.S.-based interface to reflect the change, citing its longstanding practice of following official government naming standards.
Google’s Role and the Trump Doctrine
The label now appears as “Gulf of America” within the United States, “Gulf of Mexico” in Mexico, and “Gulf of Mexico (Gulf of America)” in all other locations. While this might appear like a minor digital adjustment, critics argue it carries heavy symbolic and political weight.
Mexico’s Foreign Ministry previously urged Google to reverse course, stating the tech giant was improperly relabeling maritime areas outside U.S. jurisdiction. Mexico controls about 49% of the gulf, the United States 46%, and Cuba holds the remaining 5%, according to global maritime boundaries database Sovereign Limits.
“What Google is doing here is renaming Mexican and Cuban territory based on a U.S. internal order,” Sheinbaum said earlier this year.
House Republicans Respond with Legislation
In a move that reinforces President Trump’s bold stance, House Republicans recently passed the Gulf of America Act in a 211–206 vote. If passed by the Senate, it would solidify the label under federal law. Conservatives argue this is a necessary step in reclaiming American identity and standing firm against globalist pressures.
This legislation also underscores growing concerns about Big Tech’s influence over international affairs and its alignment with U.S. versus foreign policy interests.
Google Stands Firm
Despite mounting pressure, Google has refused to revise its naming policy. Cris Turner, Google’s vice president for government affairs and public policy, stated in a February letter that the company would continue following the guidance of the U.S. government when it comes to official designations.
The Bigger Picture: Trump’s Foreign Policy Wins
This isn’t just about a map—it’s about messaging. The relabeling of the Gulf sends a strong signal about American leadership in the Western Hemisphere, reinforcing President Trump’s commitment to national pride, regional dominance, and pushing back against foreign interference in domestic affairs.
As border security, energy independence, and global positioning continue to define Trump’s second term, the Gulf of America naming debate highlights the stakes of reclaiming control—over maps, over narratives, and over America’s future.