Trump signs order to rename Lake Ontario as part of trade dispute with Canada

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Thursday directing federal agencies to rename Lake Ontario, which borders New York and Canada, as "Lake America." The order states that the change should take effect immediately, though it also outlines administrative steps that must be completed first. The move follows a breakdown in trade negotiations with Canada, after which the administration announced a 50% tariff on certain Canadian imports and Canada responded with its own counter-tariffs.

During the signing, Trump told reporters, "We have a gulf, and we have a lake, now all we need is an ocean." He also said that Canada has been the most difficult trading partner, adding that the country "feels entitled" and that the United States cannot continue to "deal with" it in the same way.

The decision has drawn criticism from some Republican lawmakers. Senator Susan Collins of Maine, who is facing a competitive re-election campaign, called the Canadian tariffs a mistake earlier in the week.