Trump signs executive order to rename Lake Ontario as ‘Lake America’

President Donald Trump signed an executive order Aug. 27 directing that Lake Ontario be renamed “Lake America,” citing its importance to the nation’s history, economy, and people.

The order points to the lake’s role in American trade, settlement, and defense, including shipbuilding and naval operations at Sackets Harbor during the War of 1812 and the historic fort and port at Oswego, New York.

Calling the lake a “tremendous asset” to the nation's heritage, he also pointed to its importance to shipping, manufacturing, agriculture, energy production, and communities that rely on it for drinking water.

“The Lake will continue to play a pivotal role in shaping America’s future and the global economy,” the President wrote. “In recognition of this flourishing economic resource and its critical importance to our Nation’s economy and its people, I am directing that the Lake officially be renamed as Lake America.”

Trump also pointed to the U.S.’s role in protecting the Great Lakes, citing its icebreaking operations and investments in the freshwater ecosystem.

The interior secretary has 30 days to carry out the change with the U.S. Board on Geographic Names. “Lake America” will then replace Lake Ontario on federal maps, contracts, documents, and communications.

The decision comes amid an escalating trade dispute between the U.S. and Canada. After negotiations collapsed last week,  50% U.S. tariffs on some Canadian goods took effect. according to ABC. Canada announced retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods beginning Sept. 8. 

Trump first raised the possible name change Aug. 25, saying the U.S. was giving it “serious consideration” because he did not expect the country to conduct much business with Ontario following the breakdown in trade talks. 

Canadian Industry Minister Minister Mélanie Joly rejected that proposal the same day. 

“We’ll always call it Lake Ontario,” Joly told reporters, according to Newsweek. “We’re proud of the Great Lakes ... and we’ll stand up for what we have. I really think that, with all these shenanigans happening. We’ll just be smart and we’ll be strategic, and we’ll fight back.”

At the signing, Trump connected the order to his administration’s earlier renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, before stating that the nation’s neighboring oceans could be next, according to FOX News. 

“So if you think about it, we have a gulf and we have a lake. Now all we need is an ocean,” Trump said. “So maybe we’ll have to change the name of the Atlantic and or the Pacific. Maybe we’ll change them both.”