Trump has asked Apple to rename Lake Ontario as 'Lake America' on maps

US President Donald Trump has asked Apple to change the name of Lake Ontario to "Lake America" on its maps app, his administration's interior chief said Monday, days after signing an executive order over the body of water now in the spotlight amid his escalating trade war with Canada.

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum told Fox's "Mornings with Maria" programme that Trump "reached out to Apple directly." He said he was confident the "Lake America" name could be seen on its platform soon.

Apple did not immediately comment in response Monday.

The body of water long known as Lake Ontario sits between the US state of New York and Canada's Ontario province.

Just over the weekend, competitor Google Maps rolled out the new label for its US users - citing the recent order by Trump, and the company's already-established practice of using names assigned by the US Geographic Names Information System, also known as GNIS.

"People using Maps in the US will see Lake America, those in Canada will ...