MapQuest surged to the No. 1 spot in Apple’s U.S. App Store on September 2 after refusing to adopt the Trump administration’s renaming of Lake Ontario to Lake America, a move that has taken on broader significance for U.S.-Canada trade relations, including for Florida businesses that depend on cross-border commerce.
The navigation app edged out ChatGPT for the top free app position after declaring on social media that it would stick with the centuries-old Lake Ontario name. MapQuest also climbed to No. 5 among top free Android apps in the U.S.
MapQuest general manager Doug Berger told the New York Post that the company focused on maintaining a name that people are familiar with, and millions of people have shown their agreement across social media and by installing the app.
The surge followed President Trump’s August 27 executive order directing federal agencies to refer to Lake Ontario as Lake America. Google implemented the change for U.S. users on August 29, and Apple followed suit on September 2 after Trump personally reached out, according to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum.
The naming dispute stems from broken trade talks between the U.S. and Canada. For Florida, which exported $3.8 billion in goods to Canada in 2024, the deteriorating relationship carries economic stakes. Canada has threatened retaliatory tariffs and raised the possibility of cutting electricity exports to the U.S.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul rejected the new name, stating that New York will not be calling it that. Canadian officials continue to use Lake Ontario, with Ontario Premier Doug Ford unveiling a lakeside sign declaring Lake Ontario Now and Always.
A Reuters/Ipsos poll found that a majority of Americans oppose both the renaming and Trump’s new tariffs on Canada. The federal action cannot require private companies or state governments to use the new name.
The White House defended the move, with a spokesperson saying President Trump promised voters that he would not allow the country to be taken advantage of anymore, which is why he is fighting to protect American industries and workers.
For Florida businesses engaged in cross-border trade, the uncertainty adds to existing concerns about tariffs and supply chain disruptions. The state’s tourism industry, which relies heavily on Canadian visitors, could also feel the impact of strained relations.
