Lake Ontario now called ‘Lake America’ on Google Maps for US users after Trump order

Google has altered its Maps application to rename Lake Ontario as "Lake America" for users in the United States, following an order issued by US President Donald Trump. This change occurred days after the trade war escalated between the US and Canada, with both countries imposing billions of dollars in added tariffs on each other's goods.

Google explained that the decision was based on its adherence to the US Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) and its policy of using names assigned by the US. For users in Canada, the lake will continue to be identified as "Lake Ontario," while those outside North America will see both names. This update aligns with Google's previous practice of renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America under a similar directive from Trump in 2025.

The decision drew laughter and indifference from both nations, with Ontario Premier Doug Ford responding by placing a billboard-sized message on the Canadian shore declaring: "Lake Ontario. Now and forever." Neither the White House, the Canadian Prime Minister's office, nor Google's statement provided immediate comments on Google's decision on Sunday.