Topline
Apple Maps changed the name of Lake Ontario to “Lake America” on its platform Tuesday, joining Google Maps in making the change after President Donald Trump signed an executive order renaming the smallest Great Lake amid a trade war with Canada.
The Apple Maps change took effect Tuesday.
Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
Key Facts
Dropping a pin anywhere on the lake, which is split by the U.S. border, makes it show as “Lake America” on Apple Maps.
Trump signed the executive order last week, directing Burgum to update the Geographic Names Information System within 30 days to reflect the change.
Google Maps made the name change on Sunday, meaning U.S. users would see the display name “Lake America,” while Google Maps users in Canada continued seeing Lake Ontario.
SURPRISING FACT
Users in Canada will continue seeing Lake Ontario displayed, according to Bloomberg, while users outside the U.S. and Canada will see both names. Google Maps is following the same policy.
Tangent
Apple updated its maps app to display “Gulf of America” instead of the Gulf of Mexico on Feb. 11 following an executive order from Trump to enact the name change.
Key Background
Trump ordered the name change for Lake Ontario just days after Canada levied retaliatory tariffs against the U.S.. responding to Trump’s 50% tariffs on numerous Canadian goods. Ontario Premier Doug Ford has been one of Trump’s most outspoken critics in the U.S.-Canada trade war. Ford unveiled a sign along Lake Ontario’s northern shore last weekend that read: “Lake Ontario. Now and Always.” He also said Trump ordered the name change “all because he doesn’t like Ontario and Canada standing up for itself.” Ontario has been heavily impacted by the trade war, as automobile manufacturing and metal targeted by tariffs are key parts of its economy. Ford said the trade war will also impact the U.S., noting, “We’re the largest purchaser of vehicles in the entire world off the U.S. … and they’re already seeing the effect.” Canada imports billions of dollars worth of American-made cars every year.
Further Reading
Ontario Premier Ford Leads Charge In Mocking Trump’s ‘Lake America’ Name Change (Forbes)
Trump ‘Directly’ Pressing Apple For ‘Lake America’ Name Change, Burgum Says (Forbes)
Trump Signs Executive Order Renaming ‘Lake Ontario’ As ‘Lake America’ (Forbes)
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