President Donald Trump signed an executive order on August 27, 2026, officially renaming Lake Ontario to "Lake America" within the United States.

 

Trump wants to rename Lake Ontario

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on August 27, 2026, officially renaming Lake Ontario to "Lake America" within the United States. The action directs the Department of the Interior and the U.S. Geological Survey to update federal databases and geographic naming systems to reflect the new name.

Context and Rationale

The renaming is the latest development in an escalating trade war between the U.S. and Canada.

• The Catalyst: The move follows the collapse of bilateral trade talks, leading the U.S. to impose 50% tariffs on $20 billion worth of Canadian imports.
• Trump's Justification: In his Oval Office remarks, Trump stated that Canada has been "ripping us off for a long time on trade" and military defense. Administration officials also argued the change is logical because the majority of the lake's volume and its deepest parts sit within U.S. territory. [
• Historical Precedent: This action mirrors an executive order Trump signed on the first day of his second term, which renamed the Gulf of Mexico to the "Gulf of America".

Limits of the Order

The executive order only applies to U.S. federal agencies and domestic maps. Trump does not hold the geopolitical authority to force Canada or international bodies to adopt the name. Maritime attorneys have noted that while both countries share the body of water, neither holds exclusive global naming rights.

Domestic and International Rejection

The symbolic change was met with immediate pushback from Canadian officials and U.S. lawmakers:

• Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney: Rejected the directive on August 27, stating that "things must be called by their name, and this lake is called Lake Ontario—today and forever." Carney promised that Canada will match the new U.S. tariffs "dollar for dollar."
• Ontario Premier Doug Ford: Affirmed on social media that the body of water will remain Lake Ontario to Canadians and the rest of the world.
• U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell (D-MI): Announced plans on August 28 to introduce the "Hands Off Our Great Lakes Act," a congressional bill aimed at nullifying the name change.