WASHINGTON, United States — President Donald Trump has signed an executive order directing the United States government to rename Lake Ontario “Lake America.”
Trump signed the order in the Oval Office on Thursday, August 27, 2026, declaring that the change would take effect immediately across the federal government.
Large maps displayed beside the president showed the new name printed across the lake. One was headed “Making the Great Lakes Even Greater.”
“‘Lake of America’ was something I’ve been thinking about for a long time,” Trump said. “We have a gulf and we have a lake. Now, all we need is an ocean.”
Federal Agencies Ordered to Adopt New Name
The executive order directs Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to coordinate with the United States Board on Geographic Names and complete the renaming within 30 days.
The administration must update the Geographic Names Information System, the federal database used to record official place names.
The order also calls for references to Lake Ontario to be removed from the system where permitted by law.
Federal departments and agencies must use “Lake America” on government maps and in contracts, documents, correspondence and other official communications.
The United States Geological Survey said it had already adopted the new name in its electronic materials. Changes to printed documents were expected to follow within several days.
The Board on Geographic Names was created to maintain uniform geographical terminology across the federal government.
Its decisions determine the names used by United States agencies but do not compel foreign governments, international organisations, private publishers or mapping companies to use the same terminology.
The order therefore changes the lake’s name for American federal purposes without establishing a universally binding name for the shared waterway.
Trump Cites Economic and Strategic Importance
In the order, Trump described the lake as an important part of American history, trade and national development.
The document cited its role in early exploration, settlement, military operations and commercial activity.
It referred to historic operations at Oswego and Sackets Harbor in New York and to the lake’s continuing importance within the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway system.
The administration said the waterway supports American shipping, manufacturing, agriculture and energy production. Water from the lake is also used by power stations and supplied to nearby communities.
Trump further asserted that the lake’s deepest sections lie within United States territory and that the country possesses most of its total water volume.
“The Lake will continue to play a pivotal role in shaping America’s future and the global economy,” the order said.
The document also credited the United States with providing most of the icebreaking vessels operating across the Great Lakes and with spending nearly $4 billion on protection of the freshwater ecosystem over the preceding decade.
The administration did not explain how it calculated the comparative spending figures cited in the order.
Renaming Comes During Trade Conflict
Trump had raised the possibility of changing the name earlier in the week as trade relations between the United States and Canada deteriorated.
The administration imposed tariffs of 50 per cent on a range of Canadian goods after negotiations between the countries collapsed.
Canada subsequently announced countermeasures covering American products.
Trump linked his proposed geographical change to the dispute, saying the United States did not expect to conduct much business with Ontario.
The conflict affects two of the world’s most closely connected economies. Canada was the second-largest trading partner of the United States during the first half of 2026, accounting for 12.6 per cent of total U.S. goods trade, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Trade discussions appeared to be suspended when Trump signed the order.
United States Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said there were no active negotiating channels with Canadian officials.
Order Follows Gulf Renaming
The latest order follows Trump’s 2025 decision to direct the federal government to call the Gulf of Mexico the “Gulf of America.”
That change was similarly implemented through the Board on Geographic Names and federal mapping systems. Some private technology companies later altered their maps for American users while retaining the traditional name for users elsewhere.
The Lake Ontario directive extends Trump’s use of executive authority to alter the names of prominent geographical features in federal records.
The administration has framed both decisions as part of a broader effort to recognise American history and national achievement through place names.
Under the new order, “Lake America” becomes the official terminology of the United States government. The name Lake Ontario, however, remains available for use outside the American federal system.
