President Donald Trump renamed Lake Ontario “Lake America” on Thursday, signing an executive order as trade tensions with Canada escalate.
He called the move “effective immediately,” directing Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to update the Geographic Names Information System within 30 days.
U.S. Geological Survey Director Ned Mamula said the change was already reflected in official USGS electronic documents, with printed materials to follow.
Tariff Standoff Poses Cross-Border Risk
The order follows the collapse of U.S.-Canada trade talks last Friday, which triggered 50% U.S. tariffs on roughly $20 billion of Canadian goods. Canada has also announced matching “dollar for dollar” retaliatory tariffs of up to 50%, set to take effect Sept. 8. Canada trimmed tariffs on seafood and fish products Wednesday, citing efforts to limit broader economic harm.
