Trump signs executive order to rename Lake Ontario as Lake America

U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order renaming Lake Ontario — which sits between New York and Canada — to Lake America. The order, signed Thursday, directs the federal government to rename the lake "effective immediately," though it also outlines administrative steps that must occur first. As noted in NPR News, the president made a similar move last year renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America.

At the Oval Office signing, Trump told reporters, "We have a gulf, and we have a lake, now all we need is an ocean." He also blamed Canada for the renaming, saying, "We deal with a lot of people, and people oftentimes they'll ask me, 'Who's the worst to deal with on trade?' And I said, 'That's easy, Canada. They are the worst to trade, and they they feel entitled, and just we can't have that.'"

Context and Indigenous perspectives on place naming

The Conversation, a Canadian publication, provides context on the historical and cultural dimensions of renaming. The name Ontario can be traced to the Huron word ontarí:io, a Wyandot (Huron) word meaning "the lake is great/large," with a root ontar- meaning "lake" and a suffix -io meaning "great/large." The first written mention of the name Ontario was in 1641, though it predates that year and has existed for centuries. The Conversation notes that the name is an example of an Indigenous place name adopted by European settlers.

The Conversation also highlights that for Indigenous communities, such renamings are reminiscent of centuries of settler-colonial erasure. It contrasts the move with Indigenous-led naming practices, citing a 2024 example where Winnipeg renamed Bishop Grandin to Abinojii Mikanah, implemented after committee consultation with Indigenous and Metis Elders. Visual and material culture studies professor Lauren Beck suggests continuing the process of renaming to draw a new map, as reported by The Conversation.

Tariff dispute escalates

The renaming comes amid a broader trade conflict. As reported by NPR News, the change follows trade talks breaking down, and Trump announced that he would impose a 50% tariff on some Canadian goods, escalating a trade war with the longtime U.S. ally. Canada issued counter-tariffs in response. NPR News notes these tariffs are likely to raise the cost of goods for Americans.

NPR News reports that the move is causing some Republicans to push back against Trump, including Senator Susan Collins from Maine, who called the tariffs on Canada a mistake.

Perspectives

  • White House/Trump administration viewpoint: President Trump frames the renaming as a direct response to Canada's trading practices, tying it to the tariff dispute and expressing a broader symbolic claim over the lake.
  • Indigenous communities and scholars: The Conversation presents a critical perspective, framing the renaming as colonial erasure and contrasting it with Indigenous-led naming practices that involve consultation with elders.
  • Republican dissent: Senator Susan Collins, as reported by NPR News, criticizes the tariffs on Canada, calling the tariffs a mistake, reflecting internal opposition.