U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he is considering renaming Lake Ontario “Lake America”, escalating an already bitter trade dispute with Canada.
Trump made the statement in a post on Truth Social, saying the U.S. was considering the change because it did not expect to do much business with Ontario anymore.
Lake Ontario is a shared body of water between the United States and Canada, with New York State bordering its southern and eastern shores and Ontario bordering its northern shore. The lake is governed by the 1909 Boundary Waters Treaty, which established cooperation between the two countries over shared boundary waters.
The proposed renaming would not automatically change the lake's official name internationally. While Trump could direct U.S. federal agencies to use “Lake America” in their documents, Canada would not be legally required to recognize the name.
The announcement comes as trade tensions between Washington and Ottawa intensify. According to the report, the U.S. has imposed 50% tariffs on about $20 billion worth of Canadian goods, while Canada is preparing retaliatory tariffs on American products including steel and electronics.
Trump has also threatened additional 50% tariffs on Canadian-made vehicles and auto parts, while Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to announce further retaliatory measures.
The potential renaming has therefore become more than a geographical issue—it is being viewed as a symbolic jab at Canada during an increasingly hostile trade dispute.