Lake Ontario Is Now Lake America: Trump Signs Executive Order to Rename Iconic Lake As US-Canada Tensions Grow Over Trade War
President Donald Trump on Thursday signed an executive order renaming Lake Ontario “Lake America” for U.S. federal purposes, saying the change would take effect immediately. The order directs the Interior Department to update the Geographic Names Information System within 30 days and replace references to Lake Ontario across federal maps and documents.
The lake, one of North America’s five Great Lakes, borders New York and Canada’s Ontario province. Trump’s move comes as relations between Washington and Ottawa have deteriorated following the collapse of trade negotiations. The dispute has triggered tariffs and retaliatory measures, adding to tensions between the longtime allies. Canada, however, is not required to adopt the new name.
Facing Trump’s Wrath
Pexels
Trump had repeatedly floated the idea of renaming Lake Ontario in recent days, although it was initially unclear whether he intended to follow through. Canadian officials, however, had already made clear that they would continue using the lake’s traditional name.
“We’re going to be changing the name of Lake Ontario, effective immediately to Lake America,” Trump said in the Oval Office before signing the executive order.
A White House official told Trump that the order instructs Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to direct his department to update the Geographic Names Information System, ensuring the body of water previously known as Lake Ontario is officially listed as Lake America in U.S. federal records.
The move is largely symbolic only, as the United States cannot compel Canada to adopt the new designation. The lake sits along the border between New York and Ontario, Canada, making the naming dispute particularly sensitive.
The executive action marks the second time Trump has sought to rename a major international body of water in favor of a distinctly American designation. In 2025, he ordered the Gulf of Mexico to be called the Gulf of America for federal purposes.
Trump Has His Reasons
whitehouse.gov
On the first day of his second term, Trump signed an executive order to rename the Gulf of Mexico the “Gulf of America.” The move to change the name, which has been used since the 16th century, sparked international opposition, with several media outlets saying they would continue using the more widely recognized name.
When asked Thursday what message he was trying to send by renaming Lake Ontario, Trump initially said, “No message.”
He then added, “Canada has been ripping us off for a long time on trade.”
“They don’t pay for anything, and they want to be treated like a state, but they’re not a state,” Trump said. He angered many Canadians last year by repeatedly suggesting that Canada should become the 51st U.S. state.
