Trump asks Apple to rename Lake Ontario to "Lake America" amid trade dispute with Canada
President Donald Trump requested that Apple change the label of Lake Ontario to "Lake America" on its maps service, following an executive order to rename the lake in the U.S. geographic naming system as trade tensions with Canada rise.
U.S. President Donald Trump asked Apple to replace the label "Lake Ontario" with "Lake America" on its Maps app, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said on Fox’s "Mornings with Maria" on Monday. Burgum said Trump contacted Apple directly and expressed confidence that the new name would appear on the platform soon.
Apple has not responded, and as of Monday afternoon the Apple Maps label still read "Lake Ontario," positioned above the water border with Canada. Over the weekend, Google Maps began showing "Lake America" for U.S. users, while Canadian users continued to see "Lake Ontario" and international users could see both names. Google said the change follows its policy of using names from the U.S. Geographic Names Information System and varies by country.
Trump announced the new name last week, part of a broader escalation in the trade dispute with Canada that has led to increased tariffs on both sides. An executive order issued on Friday directed the Interior Department to update the lake’s name in the U.S. geographic naming service.
Canadian officials and the Seneca Nation’s leader criticized the move, saying it conflicts with a 225-year-old treaty and disrespects Indigenous naming heritage.