What Do Americans Feel About Trump's Trade War With Canada, Renaming Of 'Lake Ontario'?

A majority of Americans disapprove of President Donald Trump’s latest moves targeting Canada, including higher tariffs on Canadian imports and his decision to refer to Lake Ontario as “Lake America”, according to a new Reuters/Ipsos poll.

The nationwide survey, conducted over three days and completed on Sunday, found that 57% of respondents opposed increasing tariffs on Canadian goods, while only 20% backed the measure. Another 21% were undecided or declined to give an opinion.

US-Canada Trade War

The findings come amid worsening tensions between the United States and Canada after trade negotiations between the two countries broke down. Canada has been one of the US’ key trading partners for decades.

The poll also showed limited support for Trump’s

move to rename Lake Ontario. Only 14% of Americans favoured changing its name, while 63% opposed the decision. The remainder either did not have an opinion or did not respond.

Trump announced the new name last week, but the change applies only to US federal government usage. It does not determine what Canada, international organisations or other entities call the lake, which has been known as Lake Ontario for more than four centuries.

Trump’s Threat To Canada

Trump has repeatedly clashed with Canada and previously floated the idea of making it the 51st US state. In January 2025, he also ordered the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America” for US federal purposes.

The latest poll comes as Americans remain concerned about household finances, with rising petrol prices adding to cost-of-living pressures. The economy and cost of living are expected to be major factors for voters ahead of the November 3 midterm elections, in which Republicans are seeking to retain narrow majorities in Congress.

Trump’s approval rating has also remained near the lowest levels of his political career in recent weeks. The online poll surveyed 1,023 US adults nationwide and had a margin of error of four percentage points.