Trump orders Lake Ontario renamed "Lake America" in U.S. amid Canada trade dispute

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Thursday renaming Lake Ontario to “Lake America” in the United States, escalating tensions with Canada amid a trade dispute. The order directs the Interior Department to update the lake’s name in the U.S. Geographic Names Information System within 30 days .
Trump announced the change during a signing ceremony in the Oval Office, where a map behind him labeled the lake as “Lake America” in red letters. He stated the name change was effective immediately, though the order itself specifies a 30-day implementation period. The president cited the lake’s economic importance, declaring, “The Lake will continue to play a pivotal role in shaping America’s future and the global economy” .
The move follows the collapse of U.S.-Canada trade talks last week, which prompted Washington to impose 50% tariffs on $20 billion worth of Canadian goods. Canada retaliated with matching tariffs on U.S. imports, set to take effect Sept. 8 .
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney rejected the renaming, emphasizing the lake’s Indigenous origins. On X, he wrote, “Canadians know that naming reality means we call it Lake Ontario—then, now, and always.” Carney noted the name derives from the Wendat word *Ontari’io*, meaning “lake of shining waters” or “the lake is beautiful” .
Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston dismissed the order on social media, writing, “We’re into some real foolishness now. It’s Lake Ontario, buddy” .
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced her state would not adopt the new name . House Democrats, including Rep. Tim Kennedy, are drafting legislation to counter the order, though Republican control of Congress makes passage unlikely .
The lake, one of the five Great Lakes, straddles the U.S.-Canada border, with roughly 47% of its area within U.S. territory . Trump previously ordered the Gulf of Mexico renamed the “Gulf of America” in 2025, a change not recognized by Mexico or other nations .
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