Trump's Lake Ontario name games are silly. His trade stance is no joke
President Donald Trump can play childish name games like changing Lake Ontario to Lake America, but he should instead be changing his trade negotiation strategy with Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney.
When trade negotiations fell apart last week between the United States and Canada, Trump decided to punish our northern neighbors with the executive order name change . However outside of nationalist MAGA backers, no one cares.
The name change will be observed by federal agencies — for now — but Canadians and the rest of the world will continue to call the great lake by the name that has been appearing on maps since the 1600s. And that includes Rochesterians whose city sits on Lake Ontario's southern shores and have long enjoyed it for warm-weather recreation at places like Ontario Beach Park and braved its icy winds bearing lake-effect snow in winter.
New Yorkers should care about the Trump-fueled crisis with Canada; the Empire State shares much of its northern border with the provinces of Ontario and Quebec, both of which are valued economic partners.
What's in a name?
As summer winds down, Americans and Canadians who take a last dip in their respective sides of the border-defining lake probably won't notice the name change but they will notice that the economic stress we all deal with continues to worsen.
Things like cars and car parts, lumber, dairy and other goods are all likely to spike in cost when Trump's new 50% tariffs kick in.
According to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative in 2024, "Canada was the top destination for U.S. exports and the third-largest source of U.S. imports. Canada exported over three-quarters of its goods to the United States and imported almost half of its goods from the United States."
Many products will be excluded from the new tariffs. Maple syrup won't be taxed; whiskey will.
The new tariffs aren't likely to trigger a recession, but even a modest increase in costs adds to the affordability crisis most working families find themselves in today.
No way to treat a friend
The most damaging aspect of Trump's posture in trade negotiations with Canada isn't just increased costs in goods. It's damaging a mutually beneficial relationship with a neighboring country who has been a good partner in security and an integrated supply chain.
New York has especially benefited from our friendly relations with Canada. That's why New York stands to be more significantly impacted by the trade war than the rest of the U.S. For instance, New York sends a massive portion of its apples to Canada each year.
New York has been the vacation destination of choice for Canadians from provinces like Ontario and Quebec for years. About 2.5 million visitors from the north came to New York annually until recently to places like the Finger Lakes and Saratoga Springs and Lake Placid.
Citing a 26% decline in Canadian tourists last year, New York state and New York City have both launched special promotional discountsfor vacationing Canadians.
In a statement to the USA TODAY Network New York, Heather Mulligan, president and CEO of The Business Council of New York State, said, "Canada has always been a critical partner to New York state. As neighbors who share approximately 445 miles of border, with 17 international entry points, it's imperative that we continue to maintain a strong and diplomatic relationship."
Mulligan made it clear that beyond the need for strong diplomatic relations, there is economic symbiosis. "Both New York and Canada's economies remain deeply connected, and we rely on each other for the import and export of goods and services, competitive employment opportunities and for ensuring that tourists can cross the border to enjoy all that New York State and Canada have to offer."
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul addressed Trump's trade policies on Wednesday saying, "They're only getting worse because of the misguided war with Canada, and this now threat of 50% tariffs on Canadian cars and trucks and auto parts and steel. This is doing nothing more than wreaking havoc on the American economy"
The governor went on to say, "It's basically taking money out of our pockets, your pockets, and raising costs for everyday New Yorkers just so the president can settle some personal scores."
Let's make a deal
New York's congressional delegation, especially the six Republicans need to urge the Trump Administration to get back to the negotiating table and make a reasonable deal that benefits both countries. That's what the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, or USMCA, is designed to do. If there is room for improvement in that deal, then the White House should negotiate those changes.
After USMCA was signed in 2018, it certainly improved on its predecessor North America Free Trade Agreement, or NAFTA. Now is the not time to scrap the agreement.
Hijacking names of shared bodies of water is no way to engender good relations. It's childish bullying.
We hope Interior Secretary Doug Burgum can dissuade the president if he sets his sights on Canada geese.
A "flock of America Geese on Lake America" just doesn't land right.