Kathmandu— Tech giant Google has changed the name of Lake Ontario to 'Lake America' on its maps in the United States following an order from President Donald Trump. The name change reflects a directive from the U.S. Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) and is part of ongoing trade tensions between the U.S. and Canada. For Canadian users, the lake will still be named Lake Ontario, while international users will see both names.

Trade Tensions Escalate

The name change comes amid escalating trade disputes between the United States and Canada. Trump imposed 50 percent tariffs on some Canadian products after failing to reach a trade agreement, prompting Canada to retaliate with similar levies. The controversy over Lake Ontario's name is just one of several symbolic moves in this ongoing conflict.

Canadian Response

Prime Minister Mark Carney invoked the Indigenous roots of the lake’s name, stating that 'Ontario' comes from the Wendat word meaning 'the lake is beautiful, the lake is big.' He emphasized that the name has been in use for over 400 years and will remain unchanged. Ontario Premier Doug Ford dismissed Trump's order as a trivial matter, saying it was akin to something out of Saturday Night Live.

Public Reaction

Trump’s critics have mocked the policy, arguing that the U.S. should focus on more pressing issues like rising living costs rather than symbolic name changes. Trump himself has shared several social media posts celebrating the change, including an AI-generated video showing Canadian geese with his hairstyle holding machineguns and patrolling 'Lake America.'

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.