WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday afternoon to change the name of Lake Ontario to “Lake America,” marking his latest escalation in a tense trade war with Canada.
The order directs federal agencies to update maps, documents, and official references to reflect the new name.
Lake Ontario is one of the five Great Lakes and sits on the border between the United States and Canada. The renaming move comes as trade relations between Washington and Ottawa have grown increasingly strained in recent months.
The White House did not immediately detail the legal basis for renaming a body of water shared with another country, or how Canadian authorities would respond.
Critics have described the order as symbolic and politically charged, while supporters say it reflects a push to assert American identity amid ongoing trade disputes.
Canadian officials have not yet issued a formal response to the executive order.
The name change is expected to face legal and diplomatic challenges given that Lake Ontario is an international waterway jointly managed by both nations.
Further updates are expected as the administration implements the directive.