Trump Renames Lake Ontario by Order, but 25% Drop in Canadian U.S. Travel Underscores Backlash
Updated
Updated · The Washington Post · Aug 29
Trump Renames Lake Ontario by Order, but 25% Drop in Canadian U.S. Travel Underscores Backlash
3 articles · Updated · The Washington Post · Aug 29
Summary
Thursday’s executive order recasting Lake Ontario as “Lake America” drew broad rejection from boat captains on both shores, with U.S. and Canadian operators saying they will keep using the old name.
Trump tied the move to his trade fight with Canada, saying the country had long “ripped us off,” extending a pattern that previously saw the Gulf of Mexico relabeled “Gulf of America.”
Tourism data already show the wider strain: Canadian travel into the U.S. fell 25% in 2025, and Flight Centre said July bookings were still 39% below 2024 levels despite a 5.7% rebound from last year.
Lake Ontario businesses said the rename has not triggered mass cancellations, though Canadian customers are increasingly asking to avoid U.S. trips and operators called the move a symbol of worsening bilateral ties.
A few firms are trying to capitalize on the attention, but even promoters using “Lake America” in ads said they doubt the new name will stick.