Apple Maps changes name of Lake Ontario to ‘Lake America’ - Daily Maverick

Apple Maps has officially changed the name of Lake Ontario to "Lake America" for users in the United States, following an executive order signed by President Donald Trump. This change aligns with a similar update made by Google Maps for its U.S. users, while Canadian users continue to see the name "Lake Ontario." MapQuest has announced that it will not adopt the name change, which has resulted in a surge in its app downloads in the U.S. App Store (Engadget, NPR, Reuters). The renaming initiative has sparked significant backlash from Canada. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has publicly opposed the change, emphasizing the Indigenous origins of the name "Lake Ontario." In response to the situation, Canada erected a giant sign stating "Lake Ontario. Now and Always," reinforcing its commitment to the historical name. The tensions escalated further when Trump posted a video of himself kicking over a representation of the Lake Ontario sign and replacing it with a sign reading "Lake America," while dancing to the song "YMCA" (Al Jazeera, NPR, Deutsche Welle). The renaming of Lake Ontario to "Lake America" is viewed as a symbolic gesture amid ongoing trade disputes between the United States and Canada, which include a 50% U.S. tariff on Canadian steel and retaliatory tariffs from Canada. This conflict has brought the naming of the lake to the forefront of discussions about national identity and geography, illustrating how trade issues can influence diplomatic relations (Euronews, NPR, Reuters). The actions taken by both Trump and Carney reflect the broader implications of these trade disputes and the complexities of U.S.-Canada relations. The renaming of a significant geographical feature has become a focal point in their diplomatic relationship, raising questions about the historical significance of Lake Ontario and the impact of current trade policies on international ties (The Guardian, NBC News).