A significant majority of Americans disapprove of former President Donald Trump's effort to rename Lake Ontario as 'Lake America' and oppose the recent imposition of tariffs on Canadian goods, according to a new Daily Mail/JL Partners poll. The findings suggest a public backlash against Trump's escalating trade dispute with Canada.
Only 20 percent of Americans support the name change, while 46 percent are against it, the poll found. Even among those who voted for Trump in 2024, support for the rebranding was divided, with 33 percent in favor and 31 percent opposed.
Trump initially proposed the name change last week following the collapse of trade negotiations between the U.S. and Canada. He subsequently issued an executive order directing federal agencies to use 'Lake America.' This was followed by the U.S. imposing 50 percent tariffs on $20 billion worth of Canadian goods, a move that prompted retaliatory levies from Ottawa.
The poll also revealed that 32 percent of voters supported the new tariffs, while 36 percent opposed them. A substantial 37 percent blamed U.S. officials for the trade breakdown, compared to 14 percent who faulted Canada. However, 31 percent held both sides equally responsible.
Despite the opposition to the tariffs, one in four Americans, including 42 percent of Trump voters, indicated they would support a complete closure of the Canadian border in response to the trade dispute. Trump's past rhetoric about potentially absorbing Canada as the 51st state garners support from 21 percent of Americans, with 31 percent of his own voters backing the idea.
The poll surveyed 1,015 registered U.S. voters online between August 28 and August 31, with a margin of error of 3.1 percent.
Economic and Political Fallout
The trade war with Canada, the United States' second-largest trading partner, comes as the nation faces other economic pressures. The ongoing conflict in Iran has driven oil prices above $90 a barrel and gas prices above $4 per gallon for most Americans, potentially complicating Republican efforts to maintain their congressional majorities in the upcoming midterm elections.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford issued a warning last week, suggesting his province could cut off electricity to the U.S. if the trade war continues. Ford stated that Ontario supplies power to 1.5 million American homes and businesses, cautioning Trump to be prepared.
Canada and the U.S. conduct approximately $880 billion in goods and services exchanges annually. The two nations share deeply integrated supply chains in the automotive, energy, and manufacturing sectors. A protracted trade dispute could negatively impact economic growth and lead to increased prices for American consumers due to higher costs for parts and materials for manufacturers.