Google Maps Reflects Trump's 'Lake America' Rebrand Amid Canada Trade Feud

Google has updated its maps to show 'Lake America' in place of 'Lake Ontario', following an executive order from President Donald Trump. The move is seen as part of a broader effort by Trump to rebrand US-Canada relations, particularly with regards to trade and tariffs.

The order was issued on Thursday, January 24th, 2025, as a response to a long-standing feud over tariffs between the two countries. According to sources, Trump's administration had previously ordered the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to 'Gulf of America' in January this year.

Google and other private map providers, such as Apple Maps and Microsoft, have typically followed government databases like the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) when it comes to naming locations. However, some companies are resisting the change, with MapQuest stating that they will not be updating their maps to reflect the new name.

The update is currently rolling out globally, but users in different regions may still see 'Lake Ontario' or both names depending on their location and device settings.