Google updated its mapping software on Saturday to display "Lake America" as the name for Lake Ontario for users within the United States. The change follows an executive order signed by President Trump last week directing the federal government to rename the body of water. According to a statement from Google, the company updated its maps to reflect the U.S. Geographic Names Information System's (GNIS) formal name change, consistent with its policy of following official government sources.
The executive order was issued amid a trade dispute between the U.S. and Canada. Negotiators failed to reach a trade agreement earlier this month, leading the U.S. to impose 50% tariffs on hundreds of Canadian goods. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney responded by announcing matching tariffs of up to 50% on U.S. goods. In his order, the president cited the lake's natural resources and historical ties to U.S. development, while also stating that trade talks with Canada had gone poorly.
Under the new map settings, U.S. users see the name "Lake America," while users in Canada continue to see "Lake Ontario." Users in other countries see both names, with "Lake America" appearing in parentheses. This mirrors a 2025 move in which Google renamed the Gulf of Mexico as the "Gulf of America" for U.S. users following a similar executive order. That change led to a lawsuit against Google by the Mexican government in May 2025.
The move has drawn opposition from the Seneca Nation, which states the renaming violates the 1794 Treaty of Canandaigua. Seneca Nation President J. Conrad Seneca noted that the treaty, signed by George Washington, defines their boundaries as beginning at "Lake Ontario." Prime Minister Carney and Ontario Premier Doug Ford have also criticized the change, with Ford unveiling a billboard on Saturday at the Fifty Point Conservation Area in Grimsby, Ontario, that reads "Lake Ontario — Now and Always."
The dispute carries potential economic consequences as Canada prepares to implement its retaliatory tariffs next month. These levies are expected to impact billions of dollars in U.S. goods, including appliances, electronics, and agricultural equipment. Conversely, Canada's current retaliatory tariffs cover items such as steel, wood, and dairy, while seafood and fish products remain exempt. The legal and diplomatic outcome of the name change remains uncertain as the two nations continue their trade standoff.