Apple Maps renames Lake Ontario as Lake America after Trump order – BBC News
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Apple has renamed Lake Ontario as Lake America on its maps service app, after an order from US President Donald Trump as part of Washington’s trade spat with Canada.
By Osmond Chia, Business reporter
Published: 2 September 2026, 01:35 BST | Updated: 32 minutes ago
Apple has joined Google in renaming Lake Ontario to Lake America for US-based users of its Maps app, following Trump’s executive order. While Canadians will continue to see the former name on their screens.
The BBC has reached out to Apple for comment.
This move follows Trump’s directive to change the lake’s name after trade talks between the neighboring countries collapsed late last month. The US imposed new 50% tariffs on $20bn (£14.8bn; C$28bn) worth of Canadian goods.
Google made a similar switch for its users in the US recently, sparking backlash on social media. In response to the tariffs, Canada has announced it will implement "dollar-for-dollar" counter-tariffs.
Prime Minister Mark Carney’s administration walked away from negotiations, stating what his office called unacceptable demands.
Carney challenged the Trump administration to “start being serious” and stop making tough demands before discussions can resume.
Trump’s executive order directed the US Department of the Interior to update the change with the Geographic Names Information Service within 30 days. Apple was specifically urged by Trump to rename Lake Ontario on its Maps platform to comply, according to US Interior Secretary Doug Burgum.
The president has also shared AI-generated videos on social media, including one of him kicking over a Lake Ontario sign and replacing it with another featuring the words "Welcome to Lake America."
At the actual lake, Canada has erected a new sign reading "Lake Ontario. Now and Always."
"Just in case President Trump or anyone else forgets, we’ve set up this sign to remind them – it’s Lake Ontario, now and forever," said Ontario Premier Doug Ford.
Not all map providers have adopted the new name. MapQuest, for instance, stated in a Facebook post, "we’re not changing it." The platform experienced a surge in downloads on the Canadian Apple App Store earlier this week.
Last year, Google made a similar change to its Maps app, renaming the Gulf of Mexico after Trump declared it would be called the Gulf of America. Google was subsequently sued by Mexico.
