Trump signs order changing Lake Ontario's name 'effective immediately'

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Thursday officially renaming Lake Ontario as "Lake America" within the United States' geographic naming system, escalating his ongoing trade dispute with Canada. While the order directs the Interior Department to update the lake's name in U.S. records, it is important to note that Canada has not committed to adopting this new name.

Trump's trade tensions with Canada reached a new high this week as the U.S. imposed a 50% tariff on $20 billion worth of Canadian goods following the breakdown of talks between the nations. The president has been increasingly critical of Canada since returning to the White House last year, suggesting the alliance could potentially become the 51st state.

Canada's response to the tariff announcement included retaliatory tariffs on $20 billion worth of American goods, including steel, dairy products, appliances, and farm equipment. Trump, sitting at the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office, signed the order while a large sign behind him displayed "Lake America" prominently on a map of the Great Lakes.

The executive order specifies that all necessary paperwork must be completed within 30 days. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney strongly rejected the name change, emphasizing the lake's Indigenous origins and its established name since the formation of the province of Ontario in 1867. Ontario Premier Doug Ford, who has engaged in verbal sparring with Trump, reaffirmed that the name remains "Lake Ontario" to Canadians and the world.

Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston labeled the situation as "real foolishness," while New York Governor Kathy Hochul, representing a state bordering the lake, stated that New York would not recognize the change. Despite the controversy, Trump's office confirmed that all required procedures were completed and that the new name would be officially recognized within the United States.