The President of the United States, Donald Trump, made headlines by signing an executive order on Thursday to rename Lake Ontario as “Lake America.” During the official announcement in the Oval Office, President Trump tasked Secretary Doug Burgum and the Department of the Interior with updating the Geographic Names Information Service, the federal entity responsible for naming geographical features.
Trump emphasized the completion of all necessary paperwork and notifications, stating that the name change is now official. This decision follows Trump’s recent threat to rename Lake Ontario amidst escalating trade tensions between the U.S. and Canada, causing controversy on both sides of the border.
This move echoes Trump’s previous decision to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America. In a whimsical comment, Trump hinted at potential future name changes for the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, emphasizing his desire for a unified nomenclature across American waters.
However, it’s important to note that despite the executive order, President Trump does not have the unilateral authority to rename Lake Ontario, which is a shared resource governed by both Canada and the U.S. The name “Lake Ontario” has historical significance, appearing in international recognition, federal legislation, and longstanding treaties dating back over a century.
The lake’s name predates the formation of both Canada and the United States, serving as the namesake for the Province of Ontario upon its establishment in 1867. This controversial decision by Trump comes amidst escalating trade tensions between the two nations, with recent back-and-forth negotiations culminating in retaliatory tariffs from Canada and heated exchanges between political leaders.
