Google Maps has updated the name of Lake Ontario to “Lake America” for users in the United States after President Donald Trump ordered the famous Great Lake renamed amid his escalating trade dispute with Canada.
Mr Trump announced the change on Thursday, targeting the smallest of North America’s five Great Lakes as tensions between Washington and Ottawa continue to intensify over reciprocal tariffs affecting billions of dollars worth of goods.
The executive order changes the lake’s listing within the US Geographic Names Information System, which establishes official geographic naming standards in the United States. It does not change the lake’s official name in Canada nor determine how it is identified elsewhere around the world.
For Australian Google Maps users, neither name has been completely replaced. Instead, both versions are displayed, with the lake appearing as “Lake Ontario (Lake America)” on the platform.
Google has now confirmed Maps users will see different names depending on where they are located.
“People using maps in the US will see ‘Lake America,’ those in Canada will continue to see ‘Lake Ontario,’ and those outside of the US and Canada will see both names,” Google said in a blog post issued on Saturday.
Mr Trump celebrated the update on Truth Social, writing: “Google Maps changes Lake Ontario to ‘Lake America’ on US phones.”
It is not the first time Google Maps has altered a major geographic label following an order from Mr Trump. The platform made a similar change to the Gulf of Mexico after the President ordered it renamed the “Gulf of America” on his first day back in office.
The Lake Ontario decision has triggered fierce opposition north of the border.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney rejected the new name following Mr Trump’s announcement, while New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared that “New York won’t be calling it that.”
Vermont Republican Governor Phil Scott described Mr Trump’s move as “petty and disappointing”.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford went a step further on Saturday, unveiling a large sign beside the lake declaring, “Lake Ontario: Now and Always,” in both English and French.
“President Trump can call it whatever he wants, but I can tell you, the rest of the world will always call it Lake Ontario,” Mr Ford said.
The dispute comes as Mr Trump continues to turn up the pressure on Canadian businesses amid the broader trade fight between the neighbouring countries.
In a separate Truth Social post, Mr Trump urged Canadian companies operating in the US to relocate their businesses across the border.
“Let all Canadian Companies that are doing business with America move to the United States, immediately. Many of them are Companies that moved out years ago due to stupid U.S. Leadership. When you move back, there are no TARIFFS! President DONALD J. TRUMP”
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