Google announced on Saturday that it has started updating its digital maps to reflect the name “Lake America” for the body of water previously known as Lake Ontario. The change follows an executive order signed by President Trump last week, which directed Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to update the Geographic Names Information System. This federal database is used to standardize geographic terminology for government use, and Google noted that its mapping updates align with these formal changes.
The renaming comes during a period of heightened trade friction between the United States and Canada. Earlier this month, the U.S. began imposing 50% tariffs on a wide range of Canadian goods. In response, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that Canada would implement reciprocal tariffs of up to 50% on billions of dollars in U.S. imports starting next month.
Regarding the map display, Google stated that users within the United States will see the name “Lake America,” while users in Canada will continue to see “Lake Ontario.” For those viewing the region from other parts of the world, the map will display both names, with “Lake America” appearing in parentheses. The company emphasized that these updates are consistent with its long-standing policy for handling bodies of water that carry different names across international borders.
The administration’s move has drawn sharp criticism from Canadian officials. Ontario Premier Doug Ford rejected the change, declaring, “It’s Lake Ontario now and forever.” Similarly, New York Governor Kathy Hochul stated that her state would not adopt the new designation. President Trump defended the shift, claiming in a Truth Social post on Sunday that Canadian leaders have been “ripping us off for decades” and asserting that the country should not be treated like a state.
This is not the first time the administration has altered geographic labels; earlier in his term, the president renamed the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America” for federal purposes, though international recognition of that name remains limited. White House Communications Director Steven Cheung celebrated the latest update on X, confirming, “It’s official! LAKE AMERICA on Google Maps.” The report also notes that the move came after he had threatened the change earlier in the week as tense trade dynamics between the historically allied countries came to a head. The report also notes that and Canada have been locked in a tense trade fight in recent weeks after negotiators failed to reach an agreement to end the standoff. The report also notes that but they aren’t one, they want to be treated like a State.
Additional Developments and Official Notices
- Ontario Premier’s Stance: Doug Ford has publicly slammed the executive order, insisting the name remains Lake Ontario.
- Space Initiative: President Trump has signed a separate executive order to establish a U.S. Space Academy.
- Legal Penalty: A former White House teleprompter operator has been ordered to pay $172,000 in relation to insider betting on the prediction market Kalshi.
- Social Commentary: A recent editorial note questioned the application of “noblesse oblige” in current political discourse.
Important Details
- The report also notes that tGIF: Have Y’all Never Heard of Noblesse Oblige.
Source: CBS News
