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Mexico President Condemns Google’s Name Change of Gulf of Mexico

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Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed her disapproval on Thursday over Google’s decision to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico on its Google Maps platform. This move followed U.S. President Donald Trump’s order to rename the body of water to the “Gulf of America.”

In a letter addressed to Google, Sheinbaum’s government argued that the United States cannot unilaterally rename a body of water that it shares with both Mexico and Cuba. The change would apply only to U.S. users of Google Maps once it is officially updated in the U.S. Geographic Names System. For users in Mexico, the name “Gulf of Mexico” will remain, while internationally, both names will be shown.

The conflict between Sheinbaum and Trump over the name change has escalated, with Sheinbaum previously jesting that, if countries were to start renaming geographical locations, North America should be renamed “Mexican America,” referencing a 1607 map of the region.

Mexico’s position is based on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which asserts that a country’s sovereignty only extends 12 nautical miles (about 22 kilometers) from its coastline. As a result, Sheinbaum emphasized that the U.S. could only change the name of the Gulf within its own 12 nautical miles, not beyond that.

In her morning press conference, Sheinbaum reiterated that Mexico had requested Google to feature the term “Mexican America” when searched. She called for Google to prominently display this on its platform as part of the broader conversation about territorial naming rights.

 

Mexico Warns of U.S. Job Losses and Retaliation Over Trump’s Proposed Tariffs

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Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum issued a strong warning on Wednesday regarding U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s proposed 25% tariff on Mexican imports. Mexico estimates the measure could result in 400,000 job losses in the United States and significantly raise costs for American consumers.

“If U.S. tariffs are implemented, Mexico will respond with its own tariffs,” Sheinbaum stated at a press conference, emphasizing Mexico’s readiness to retaliate against the policy. She was joined by Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard, who called for increased regional cooperation instead of a “war of retaliatory import taxes.” Ebrard described the tariffs as “a shot in the foot” that would harm the U.S. economy by violating the USMCA trade agreement and increasing costs for American companies producing in Mexico.

Ebrard highlighted the significant impact on the automotive industry, which heavily relies on cross-border trade. He noted that 88% of pickup trucks sold in the U.S. are made in Mexico and warned of a $3,000 average price increase per vehicle—costs that would hit rural voters, many of whom supported Trump.

Trump justified the proposed tariffs as a means to combat drug trafficking, particularly fentanyl, and to curb migration into the U.S. He claimed on Truth Social that Sheinbaum agreed to work on controlling migration through Mexico. Sheinbaum later clarified on X (formerly Twitter) that Mexico’s focus was on addressing migration before individuals reached the U.S.-Mexico border, adding, “Mexico’s stance is not to close borders, but to build bridges.”

The proposed tariffs could have wide-reaching implications for North American trade. Mexico’s automotive sector, responsible for 25% of regional vehicle production, would face significant disruptions. Analysts at Barclays warned that the tariffs could “wipe out all profits” for major automakers like Ford, GM, and Stellantis. The Institute of International Finance cautioned that such measures might lead to protectionism, threatening regional economic stability.

Despite the tensions, some analysts see the tariff threats as a negotiating tactic rather than a firm policy decision. David Kohl, chief economist at Julius Baer, noted that Trump appears to be using tariffs to achieve goals beyond trade.

With the USMCA up for review in 2026, experts suggest the trade agreement could undergo renegotiation rather than simple renewal. Katia Goya of Grupo Financiero Banorte predicted lower economic growth, higher unemployment, and increased inflation in the U.S. if trade conflicts escalate.

Ebrard underscored the importance of regional unity, stating, “We can fragment and divide with tariffs, or we can build a stronger region. Mexico chooses cooperation, not conflict.”

 

Constellation Brands CEO Downplays Tariff Concerns in Potential Trump Presidency

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In a recent interview with CNBC’s Jim Cramer, Constellation Brands CEO Bill Newlands dismissed concerns about the possibility of higher tariffs under a potential second Trump administration. Newlands expressed confidence that the company’s operations and growth would not be significantly affected by tariffs, pointing to the company’s success during Trump’s first term and emphasizing the unique nature of their Mexican beer production.

Newlands highlighted that Constellation Brands, which imports popular Mexican beer brands like Modelo, Corona, and Pacifico, has a resilient business model. He noted that the company sources many inputs from the U.S. before brewing the beer in Mexico, adding that any potential tariff policy would likely aim to avoid harming American farmers.

Resilience Amid Tariff Threats

When asked about the potential for tariffs as high as 20% on imported goods under a second Trump administration, Newlands brushed off concerns by referencing the company’s performance during the previous Trump presidency, which saw double-digit growth.
Newlands stated, “Assuming there was a Trump administration, we already had four years of a Trump administration, and our business was up double-digit during that window of time.” He went on to underscore the importance of maintaining the authenticity of their Mexican beer production, stating, “These are authentic Mexican beers. Guess what? You have to make them in Mexico.”

Relationship with Mexico and New Brewery Expansion

During the interview, Newlands also discussed Constellation Brands’ relationship with Mexico, particularly with the country’s new president, Claudia Sheinbaum, Mexico’s first female leader. He expressed optimism about their shared commitment to “shared prosperity” and highlighted that their relationship with both federal and local governments remains strong.

As part of their ongoing collaboration with Mexico, Constellation Brands is preparing to open a new brewery in Veracruz, further strengthening its production capacity. Newlands emphasized that the company’s strategic expansion in Mexico aligns well with its long-term business goals.

Wine and Spirits Strategy

While Constellation Brands saw success with its beer division in the latest quarter, Newlands acknowledged the challenges in the company’s wine and spirits segment, which has weighed down overall performance. However, he remains optimistic about the company’s improvement efforts in this area.
“We have readjusted a lot of our marketing spend,” Newlands explained. The company is making targeted investments in key brands like The Prisoner, Kim Crawford, and Meiomi and is beginning to see positive results. “We’ve seen those businesses start to turn,” he added.

Despite the earnings beat in the latest quarter, the company posted a slight revenue miss, with Newlands assuring investors that the focus remains on strengthening the wine and spirits segment to complement the success of the beer brands.