Americans have largely rejected former President Donald Trump's rebranding of Lake Ontario as 'Lake America' and his imposition of tariffs on Canadian goods, according to a new Daily Mail/JL Partners poll. The survey found that only 20 percent of Americans support the name change, while 46 percent oppose it. Even among those who voted for Trump in 2024, support for the renaming stands at 33 percent, with 31 percent against it.
Trump initially proposed the name change last week after trade negotiations with Canada faltered, stating the U.S. would no longer engage in significant business with Ontario. He followed this declaration with an executive order directing federal agencies to use the name 'Lake America.' Shortly thereafter, the U.S. implemented 50 percent tariffs on $20 billion worth of Canadian goods, prompting retaliatory measures from Ottawa.
Voter Sentiment on Tariffs and Trade War
The poll also revealed public skepticism regarding the trade war. Only 32 percent of voters supported the new tariffs against Canada, with 36 percent opposing them. A significant portion of respondents, 37 percent, blamed U.S. officials for the breakdown in negotiations, while only 14 percent faulted Canada. Another 31 percent held both sides equally responsible.
Despite the overall opposition to the tariffs, a notable segment of the population, one in four Americans—including 42 percent of Trump voters—indicated support for completely closing the Canadian border in response to the trade dispute. Trump's past discussions about incorporating Canada as the 51st state, however, remain a fringe idea, with support from 21 percent of Americans and 31 percent of his own voters.
Economic and Political Implications
The trade friction with Canada, the second-largest U.S. trading partner, could exacerbate challenges for Republicans in the upcoming midterm elections. The ongoing conflict in Iran has already driven oil prices above $90 a barrel and gasoline prices past $4 a gallon nationwide. The trade war's potential economic fallout includes slowed growth and increased consumer prices due to higher manufacturing costs for parts and materials.
Ontario's Premier Doug Ford has warned that his province could cut off electricity to the U.S. if the trade war escalates, noting that Ontario supplies power to 1.5 million American homes and businesses. He also expressed strong opposition to Trump's actions.
The Daily Mail/JL Partners poll was conducted online between August 28 and 31 among 1,015 registered U.S. voters, with a margin of error of 3.1 percent.