Google Maps has changed the name of Lake Ontario to “Lake America” for users in the United States after President Donald Trump ordered the well-known Great Lake renamed amid his growing trade conflict with Canada.
Mr. Trump made the announcement on Thursday, focusing on the smallest of North America’s five Great Lakes as tensions between Washington and Ottawa rise over reciprocal tariffs impacting billions of dollars in goods.
The executive order modifies how the lake is listed in the US Geographic Names Information System, which sets official geographic naming standards in the United States. However, it doesn’t change the lake’s official name in Canada or dictate how it’s recognized elsewhere worldwide.
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For Google Maps users in Australia, neither name has completely replaced the other. Instead, both names appear together, showing up as “Lake Ontario (Lake America)” on the platform.
Google has confirmed that Maps users will see different names based on their location.
Updated Google Maps. Credit: Google Maps
“People using maps in the US will see ‘Lake America,’ those in Canada will still see ‘Lake Ontario,’ and those outside of both countries will see both names,” Google stated in a blog post released on Saturday.
Mr. Trump celebrated this update on Truth Social by writing: “Google Maps changes Lake Ontario to ‘Lake America’ on US phones.”
This isn’t Google’s first time changing a major geographical label due to an order from Mr. Trump. They made a similar adjustment for the Gulf of Mexico after he requested it be renamed “Gulf of America” during his first day back in office.
The decision regarding Lake Ontario has sparked strong opposition across the border.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney dismissed the new name following Mr. Trump’s announcement while New York Governor Kathy Hochul stated that “New York won’t be calling it that.”
Vermont Republican Governor Phil Scott referred to Mr. Trump’s action as “petty and disappointing.”
Ontario Premier Doug Ford took things further on Saturday by unveiling a large sign next to the lake declaring, “Lake Ontario: Now and Always,” presented in both English and French.
“President Trump can call it whatever he wants, but I can tell you that people around the world will always call it Lake Ontario,” Mr. Ford said.
This dispute arises as Mr. Trump intensifies pressure on Canadian businesses amid ongoing trade tensions between neighboring countries.
President Donald Trump takes a questionfrom areporterafter signinganexecutiveorderchange thenameof Lake Ontario Lake Americainthe Oval Officeon Thursday Aug.,2026. Trumpsaidthat U. S. governmenthadÒfiledallthenecessarypapersdocumentsÓandthatthenamechangewouldtakeeffectimmediately.(Demetrius Freeman/The New York Times)Credit: DEMETRIUSFREEMAN/NYTInaseparate Truth Socialpost, Mrt Trumpurged Canadiancompaniesoperatingin UStorelocatetheirbusinessesacrosstheborder.
Letall Canadian Companiesthatdoingbusinesswith Americamovetothe United Statesimmediately. Manyofthemare Companiesthatmovedoutyearsagodueto stupid U. S. Leader Ship. Whenyoumovebackthereareno TARIFFS! President DONALDJ. TRUMP”
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Updated Google Maps. Credit: Google Maps
“People using maps in the US will see ‘Lake America,’ those in Canada will still see ‘Lake Ontario,’ and those outside of both countries will see both names,” Google stated in a blog post released on Saturday.
Mr. Trump celebrated this update on Truth Social by writing: “Google Maps changes Lake Ontario to ‘Lake America’ on US phones.”
This isn’t Google’s first time changing a major geographical label due to an order from Mr. Trump. They made a similar adjustment for the Gulf of Mexico after he requested it be renamed “Gulf of America” during his first day back in office.
The decision regarding Lake Ontario has sparked strong opposition across the border.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney dismissed the new name following Mr. Trump’s announcement while New York Governor Kathy Hochul stated that “New York won’t be calling it that.”
Vermont Republican Governor Phil Scott referred to Mr. Trump’s action as “petty and disappointing.”
Ontario Premier Doug Ford took things further on Saturday by unveiling a large sign next to the lake declaring, “Lake Ontario: Now and Always,” presented in both English and French.
“President Trump can call it whatever he wants, but I can tell you that people around the world will always call it Lake Ontario,” Mr. Ford said.
This dispute arises as Mr. Trump intensifies pressure on Canadian businesses amid ongoing trade tensions between neighboring countries.
President Donald Trump takes a questionfrom areporterafter signinganexecutiveorderchange thenameof Lake Ontario Lake Americainthe Oval Officeon Thursday Aug.,2026. Trumpsaidthat U. S. governmenthadÒfiledallthenecessarypapersdocumentsÓandthatthenamechangewouldtakeeffectimmediately.(Demetrius Freeman/The New York Times)Credit: DEMETRIUSFREEMAN/NYTInaseparate Truth Socialpost, Mrt Trumpurged Canadiancompaniesoperatingin UStorelocatetheirbusinessesacrosstheborder.
Letall Canadian Companiesthatdoingbusinesswith Americamovetothe United Statesimmediately. Manyofthemare Companiesthatmovedoutyearsagodueto stupid U. S. Leader Ship. Whenyoumovebackthereareno TARIFFS! President DONALDJ. TRUMP”
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