Google Maps has renamed Lake Ontario as 'Lake America' for U.S. users following a presidential order, reflecting a move by President Trump amid a trade war with Canada. The change aligns with the U.S. Geographic Names Information System, with Google stating that users in Canada will continue to see 'Lake Ontario' and international users will see both names.
The name change follows a similar move in 2025 when Trump ordered the Gulf of Mexico to be renamed as the 'Gulf of America,' prompting legal action from Mexico. Ontario Premier Doug Ford has responded with a billboard reading 'Lake Ontario: Now and Always,' emphasizing that the name will not be changed.
Google's decision to update the map aligns with its policy of reflecting official names, with the update starting to roll out. The change is part of a broader trade dispute between the U.S. and Canada, with both nations imposing tariffs on each other's goods.
The name change has sparked mixed reactions, with Ford and Canadian officials highlighting the historical and cultural significance of the name, while Google maintains that it is following official naming conventions.