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Gulf of Mexico news
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Trump signed an executive order renaming Lake Ontario to Lake America on Aug 27, 2026.
The move escalates his trade war with Canada, following the Gulf of Mexico renaming.
Background
President Trump has been escalating a trade dispute with Canada, and this renaming is the latest in a series of actions targeting Canada. He previously renamed the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America in 2025. The order directs federal agencies to update official maps and records, but it has no legal effect on Canada, which controls about 52% of the lake's surface.
How it unfolded
- Jan 2025Trump signed an executive order renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America.
- Aug 25, 2026Trump threatened to rename Lake Ontario, prompting Canadian Minister Mélanie Joly to say Canada will always call it Lake Ontario.
- Aug 27, 2026Trump signed the executive order renaming Lake Ontario to Lake America, effective immediately for federal use.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- Trump said the move is not a direct message to Canada but that Canada has been 'ripping us off' on trade.
- Public
- Canadian Minister Mélanie Joly said 'We'll always call it Lake Ontario,' calling the move an attempt to exert advantage in the trade war.
- Expert
- Geography professor Reuben Rose-Redwood called it 'pure rage bait' and a distraction from trade negotiations.
Still unverified
The executive order's legal effect is disputed; it only applies to US federal use and does not change the name internationally.