On 27 August 2026, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order in the Oval Office directing the federal government to rename Lake Ontario as “Lake America”. The order instructed the United States Department of the Interior to update the Geographic Names Information System within 30 days and required federal agencies to use the new name on maps and documents.
Lake Ontario and the Great Lakes system
Lake Ontario is one of the five Great Lakes of North America and lies on the border between Canada and the United States. The Great Lakes system also includes Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, Lake Huron and Lake Erie.
Geographic Names Information System
The Geographic Names Information System is the official federal database of geographic names in the United States. It is maintained by the United States Geological Survey under the Department of the Interior.
Canada’s response and naming authority
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney rejected the executive order and stated that Canadians would continue to use the name Lake Ontario. Legal and geographical experts noted that a United States president cannot rename the Canadian portion of an international lake or compel foreign governments and mapmakers to adopt a new name.
Important Facts for Exams
- Lake Ontario is the easternmost of the five Great Lakes.
- The Great Lakes are shared by Canada and the United States.
- The Geographic Names Information System is used for standardising place names in the United States.
- International water bodies often require bilateral or multilateral recognition for name changes.
Trade context
The executive order came after a breakdown in bilateral trade talks between the United States and Canada. The United States imposed 50% tariffs on about $20 billion of Canadian imports from 22 August 2026, and Canada revised its retaliatory tariff list to include 50% levies on selected U.S. goods such as plaster and wood charcoal.
