Google Maps said it changed the name of Lake Ontario to "Lake America" after the US Geographic Names Information System, the federal government's official database of place names, did the same.
Bloomberg/Getty Images
Google Maps has made the switch — for Americans, at least.A search on the mapping app on Sunday shows the name "Lake America" for the body of water adjoining northern New York and southern Ontario, known until very recently — and still to most — as Lake Ontario.President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Thursday that he said would "immediately" rename the body of water to "Lake America." Canadian officials have said they will not recognize the new name.In a blog post, Google said it changed the lake's name after the US Geographic Names Information System, the federal government's official database of place names, did the same."Since we update Google Maps to reflect name changes in official government sources, which is GNIS for the U.S., people using Maps in the U.S. will see 'Lake America,'" the company said.Canadian users will still see "Lake Ontario," according to Google. Viewers in the rest of the world will see both names.As of Sunday, Apple Maps still says "Lake Ontario." The company did not respond to a request for comment sent on Sunday.Trump made the switch in retaliation after trade talks between the longtime allies broke down last week. The Trump administration imposed an additional 50% tariffs on many Canadian goods on August 22. Canada then responded in kind. Trump is now threatening 50% tariffs on auto and steel imports from Canada.Ontario Premier Doug Ford said in an interview with ABC News on Sunday that those tariffs would be "devastating on the US."
