A new Reuters/Ipsos poll reveals that Americans overwhelmingly disapprove of President Donald Trump's decision to rename Lake Ontario to Lake America, as well as the recent implementation of steep tariffs on Canadian imports. The nationwide survey, which gathered responses from 1,023 U.S. adults between August 28 and 30, shows that 63% of participants oppose the name change, while only 14% express support. Regarding the trade measures, 57% of those surveyed stated their opposition to the tariffs on Canada, compared to 20% who support them. The poll carries a margin of error of 4 percentage points.
The controversy stems from an executive order signed by President Trump on August 27, which directed his administration to rename the lake that serves as a border between the United States and Canada. While digital platforms like Google Maps and Apple Maps quickly updated their services to reflect the name "Lake America," the move has faced significant pushback. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has stated that Canada will continue to refer to the landmark by its traditional name, Lake Ontario. The name originates from the Iroquois word "Ontarí'io," which translates to "lake of shining waters," and has been in use since the 17th century.
The renaming initiative coincides with a broader trade dispute between the two nations. In August, following the collapse of trade negotiations, President Trump imposed 50% tariffs on a wide range of Canadian goods. In response, Prime Minister Carney implemented retaliatory tariffs on U.S. exports, ranging from 15% to 50%. Furthermore, President Trump has threatened to double existing tariffs on Canadian automobiles and auto parts from 25% to 50%.
This is not the first time the administration has attempted such a change; in his first year of his second term, President Trump moved to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, though the change remains largely unrecognized by Mexico and the international community. Typically, the U.S. Board on Geographic Names oversees the naming of geographic features through a formal review process. However, the order for Lake America requires the Department of the Interior and the Board to formalize the change within a 30-day window, a process similar to the expedited renaming of the Gulf of Mexico.
