Google Maps Renames Lake Ontario to 'Lake America' After Trump's Executive Order
US President Donald Trump's executive order to rename Lake Ontario to 'Lake America' has led Google Maps to update its name, but only for American users. According to a blog post by Google, they followed the US Geographic Names Information System (GNIS), which officially changed the lake's name.
The change was made in retaliation after trade talks between the US and Canada broke down last week. The Trump administration imposed additional tariffs on many Canadian goods, prompting Canada to respond with its own tariffs.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford called the tariffs 'devastating' for the US, saying that a tariff is nothing more than a tax on the American people. Mark Carney, the former Canadian prime minister, also weighed in, stating that naming reality means calling it Lake Ontario, as the name comes from the Wendat word Ontari'io.
Google Maps still shows 'Lake Ontario' for users outside of the US and Canada, where the lake is known by its original name. Apple Maps has not yet updated to reflect the new name.