The GNIS Works With the U.S. Board on Geographic Names to Standardize Geographic Names for Federal Use

President Trump on Thursday signed an executive order to rename Lake Ontario "Lake America, fulfilling a threat he made on social media earlier this week. The order directs Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to update the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) to reflect the change. The GNIS works with the U.S. Board on Geographic Names to standardize geographic names for federal use.

"We're going to be changing the name of Lake Ontario, effective immediately, to Lake America, the president said before signing the order in the Oval Office. On Truth Social, he said the U.S. was giving "serious consideration" to the change and posted a map with the label "Lake Ontario" crossed out. He also said the U.S. doesn't expect to be "doing much business with Ontario any longer.

The announcement is the latest move in Trump's trade war with Canada. The president cannot force other countries or international bodies to adopt the name, but he can require the federal government to use it. Asked what message the order sends to Canada, Trump said, "No message, but added, "As you know, Canada has been ripping us off for a long time on trade, very, very sadly.

Even the military. You know, we defend Canada for nothing. Canada has yet to respond.

The name "Ontario" has Indigenous roots, derived from the Iroquoian word "oniatarí:io, meaning "lake of shining waters, according to the Center for Great Lakes Literacy. On Saturday, 50% tariffs on some Canadian imports like wine and dairy took effect, and on Monday, Trump announced 50% tariffs on all Canadian steel and automotive imports starting in January. In response, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Canada will begin imposing matching tariffs of up to 50% on billions of dollars of U.S. goods starting Sept.

8. Trump previously sought to rename North America's highest peak, Denali in Alaska, back to Mount McKinley. When he changed the Gulf of Mexico to the "Gulf of America, some private entities adopted the new name, though the White House restricted Associated Press reporters' access after the outlet declined to use it. On Thursday, Trump also threatened to rename an ocean: Now all we need is an ocean. So maybe we'll have to change the name of the Atlantic and—or—the Pacific.