There’s an old saying: “He who names it, claims it.” Throughout history, renaming has been a potent—if subtle—strategy that can reshape perceptions, reassert ownership, and rewrite entire narratives. Right now, we’re watching it play out on multiple fronts—from China quietly rebranding disputed land along the Russian border, to Donald Trump (in his second term—Trump 2.0) redubbing everything from bodies of water to entire countries. Let’s explore why these “name games” can have very real consequences—and how they might affect our collective well-being.

Part I: China’s Quiet “Address Change”

In a YouTube video titled “China Might Betray Russia and Invade”, content creator Matthew Tye (Laowhy86) points out how Bolshoy Ussuriysky Island (the Russian name) is referred to as Heixiazi Island (the Chinese name). Tye sees this as more than a translation quirk—rather, it’s akin to subtly changing the address on your neighbor’s house until everyone believes it’s yours.

Why It Matters

Normalization: Once you see “Heixiazi Island” on maps or in media, it starts feeling legitimate.
No Tanks Needed: If enough people accept China’s name for the territory, it paves the way for a larger claim without open warfare.

China’s been known to use similar tactics in the South China Sea and along other contentious borders. If Tye’s hunch is right, Russia could lose ground—literally—by not pushing back on these name changes.

Part II: Trump 2.0—Renaming the World, Despite a Weak Mandate

Meanwhile, here in the U.S., Donald Trump is in his second term—Trump 2.0—and bringing a renaming flair to new heights. But let’s be clear: he does not have the sweeping mandate he claims. He won by a historically narrow margin—just 1.6%—and many Americans suspect he might have cheated. Honestly, the hypocrisy and projection from today’s GOP would be laughable if it weren’t so alarming.

From Gulf of Mexico to “Gulf of America”
- Trump didn’t just float the idea of renaming the Gulf of Mexico; he formally renamed it, and shockingly, some Americans are now championing this “Gulf of America” label.
- It has, unsurprisingly, angered Mexico and stirred debates over whether one nation has the right to rename a body of water shared with others.
Talk of the Panama Canal
- Strong signals from Trump’s circle suggest wanting to reassert U.S. influence over the Panama Canal—enough that officials in Panama have publicly expressed concern.
- There’s no official White House policy (yet), but the notion of reclaiming or renegotiating control of the Canal alarms Panamanian authorities, who see it as a threat to their sovereignty.
- Though separate from the “Gulf of America” debacle, it aligns with Trump’s track record of challenging global norms.
Greenland to “Red White and Blueland”?
- Let’s not forget Earl Carter from Georgia’s Bill HR1161, proposing to rename Greenland “Red White and Blueland.”
- This might sound like a joke, but it’s an actual piece of legislation. Whether serious or purely political theater, it reflects a mindset that other nations’ territories can simply be rebranded for U.S. interests.
Canada: The 51st State?
- Trump has even taken to referring to Canada as though it’s effectively the “51st state,” which is obviously not recognized by Canadians—or anyone else—outside his circle.
- It’s part of the same worldview that treats neighboring nations as if they’re up for grabs or easy to rename.
- Again, the hypocrisy is staggering: a leader with such a slim victory margin, claiming to represent a majority while ignoring the fact that most Americans didn’t vote for this.
America First, Again
- Trump’s famed slogan from his first term remains in full force.
- By tying bold renaming efforts to patriotic rhetoric, he keeps critics on the defensive—and his base rallied under a banner that glosses over how truly narrow his electoral victory was.

Part III: Rename, Then Reframe

What unites China’s relabeling of Russian borderlands with Trump’s attempts at rebranding the Gulf of Mexico, Greenland, and even Canada? It’s the strategy of rename, then reframe.

Rename: Pick a new, self-serving title (Heixiazi, Gulf of America, Red White and Blueland, “51st State”).
Reframe: Suddenly, everyone is debating that new label—legitimizing it through conversation alone.

In China’s case, a slow naming shift could foreshadow territorial claims. In Trump’s case, it cements his role as the center of attention, even if it means trampling on other nations’ sovereignty or ignoring the will of the majority of Americans.

Part IV: Why a Holistic Site Cares (CherryCoBiz Perspective)

You might wonder: “Why is CherryCoBiz—normally about wellness—tackling geopolitics?” Because wellness is deeply connected to the state of the world around us. When leaders rename territories or proclaim neighboring countries as “51st states”:

Diplomatic Tensions ? Potential for conflict, economic sanctions, or supply chain disruptions.
Stress and Division ? People at home and abroad feel uneasy, uncertain, or angry.
Undermined Cooperation ? Harder to work together globally on health crises, climate change, or shared technologies.

Holistic wellness isn’t just about green smoothies—it’s about living in a stable, respectful global community. If we want to Embrace Life, Pursue Wellness, Seek Truth, we can’t ignore the political upheavals shaking our foundations.

Part V: This Is Not a Game

Some of these moves sound downright absurd—renaming Greenland to “Red White and Blueland,” claiming Canada is a 51st state—but bills are being introduced, statements are being made, and relationships are being strained. It goes beyond comedic optics: it’s a reality where powerful figures treat the world like their personal board game.

Gulf of America: Undermines international norms and Mexico’s co-ownership of these waters.
Panama Canal: A vital global trade route potentially upended by U.S. intervention.
Canada: Lumping a sovereign country into the U.S. as a “51st state” is a slap in the face to Canadian independence.
And Meanwhile: The man behind these grand proclamations barely scraped an electoral victory, with a 1.6% margin—far from a sweeping majority.

This level of hypocrisy and projection, often seen in the GOP’s talking points, is genuinely embarrassing for those of us who believe in accountability and fair play.

Part VI: A Bigger, Deeper Conversation

From Beijing’s approach to “Heixiazi Island,” to Trump’s appetite for renaming oceans, nations, and neighbor states, we should ask: Who gets to rename what isn’t theirs—and why do they think they can? Because once a new name sticks—be it a disputed border island or a shared body of water—it can pave the way for bigger moves: policy changes, militarization, or even open conflict.

China & Russia: Could rising acceptance of Heixiazi Island as a “Chinese territory” spark a major border dispute?
Trump’s America: When does “America First” cross the line into imperial or colonial-style thinking?

Either scenario could have massive global repercussions—political, economic, and yes, even personal.

Part VII: What Comes Next?

Check out Matthew Tye’s video and form your own opinion on whether China is gearing up to move into Russian territory.
Reflect on how you feel about the “Gulf of America” fiasco, renaming Greenland, calling Canada the 51st state, and the chatter around the Panama Canal.
Stay Informed: Naming might seem trivial, but it’s often the first step in a broader campaign to reshape reality—and it’s all the more egregious when done by a leader who claims a “mandate” that he simply does not have.

For those of us who care about holistic health: ignoring politics won’t shield us from its consequences. Global events shape everything from our sense of safety to our economic stability, which in turn affect our mental and physical well-being.

Final Thoughts: Embrace Life, Pursue Wellness, Seek Truth

Sure, these stories might fit nicely into a political blog, but CherryCoBiz is about whole-life wellness. When powerful players rename lands, disregard international norms, and pretend they have a massive public mandate (despite a razor-thin victory), the ripple effects touch us all.

I’m not saying we should all become foreign policy wonks overnight. But being aware—calling out the absurdity of “Red White and Blueland” or the arrogance of claiming Canada as our 51st state—is part of staying grounded in reality. If we truly want to embrace life, pursue wellness, and seek truth, we have to hold our leaders accountable for how they wield language and power.

So tell me:

Do you see parallels between China’s subtle territory rebranding and Trump’s blatant naming spree?
How do you feel knowing that a leader with such a narrow margin of victory is making such large-scale demands?
Does it bother you that the GOP so openly projects and contradicts its own talking points?

Let’s talk it out. After all, words aren’t just words—they can shape our world, for better or worse.

Much love and stay curious,
— Terra Turner, CherryCoBiz

Will China Betray Russia?