President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Thursday, August 27, 2026, officially changing the name of Lake Ontario to Lake America, effective immediately. This action comes amidst an ongoing trade dispute between the United States and Canada.
The President stated that the idea for the name change, which he referred to as the Lake of America, had been under consideration for a significant period. He was seen in the Oval Office with two large boards displaying the new name. This is not the first time the President has unilaterally renamed a geographic feature for official U.S. federal government use; in January 2025, he renamed the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America.
While the President can alter geographic names for U.S. federal government use, this authority does not extend to dictating what other countries or international bodies call these features. The name change follows recent social media posts where the President indicated his intention to rename the lake, which borders both the U.S. and Canada.
The renaming occurs as trade negotiations between the U.S. and Canada have stalled. A new round of 50% U.S. tariffs on certain Canadian goods took effect on Saturday, leading to retaliatory levies from Canada. The President described Canadian officials as having treated the U.S. poorly, characterizing them as nasty people. He identified Canada as the most challenging country to deal with on trade, citing a sense of entitlement.
When questioned about the message behind the name change, the President denied having one, but reiterated his criticism of Canada, asserting that they have been unfairly benefiting from trade with the U.S. for many years. This argument has been used to justify the tariffs imposed on Canada. Ontario Premier Doug Ford responded to the move, stating that while the President can change the name, it will always be known as Lake Ontario to Canadians and the rest of the world. Representative Debbie Dingell, a Michigan Democrat, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that Canada is an ally and economic partner, and that their friendship cannot be erased by such an action.
The President also hinted at potential future name changes, suggesting that with a gulf and a lake renamed, an ocean might be next. He mentioned the possibility of renaming both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
