Google Updates Maps to Reflect Trump's 'Lake America' Order

Google Maps has updated its US maps to reflect President Trump's executive order renaming Lake Ontario 'Lake America'. The change affects only users in the United States and does not impact how the lake is named on Canadian or international maps. According to a Google statement, users in Canada will still see the original name 'Lake Ontario', while those outside of North America may see both names.

The executive order was part of an escalating trade feud between the US and Canada, which has led to reciprocal tariffs on billions of dollars in goods. President Trump's decision affects the US Geographic Names Information System (GNIS), which sets the standards for official US maps. However, the change does not impact Canadian naming conventions or how the rest of the world refers to the lake.

Critics have spoken out against the name change, with Ontario Premier Doug Ford saying 'President Trump can call it whatever he wants, but I can tell you, the rest of the world will always call it Lake Ontario'. Governor Kathy Hochul of New York has also stated that 'New York won't be calling it that', while Republican governor Phil Scott of Vermont called Trump's decision 'petty and disappointing'.