Google Maps has updated its application to rename Lake Ontario as “Lake America” for users in the United States, a change that follows a recent order by President Donald Trump. The update comes amid an escalating trade dispute between the U.S. and Canada, which has led both nations to impose significant tariffs on each other's goods.
Google stated that the decision aligns with its policy of using names assigned by the U.S. Geographic Names Information System (GNIS). For users within the United States, the map will display “Lake America.” Canadian users will continue to see “Lake Ontario,” while users outside of both countries will see both names. This adjustment is part of Google's established practice for bodies of water with names that vary by region.
President Trump's order to rename the lake, issued on Thursday, was met with varied reactions. Ontario Premier Doug Ford responded with a public message on the Canadian shore that read: “Lake Ontario. Now and forever.” Official comments from the White House, the office of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, and Ford's office were not immediately available.
This is not the first time Google Maps has altered a name in response to a U.S. presidential directive. In 2015, the company updated its maps to reflect an order from then-President Trump renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America. Google, a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., is headquartered in Mountain View, California.