US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Thursday to rename Lake Ontario as "Lake America." This action is part of ongoing tensions between the US and Canada. Lake Ontario is one of the Great Lakes located between the two countries. Trump's previous attempt to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the "Gulf of America" has not gained widespread acceptance.
In a statement, Trump criticized Canadian officials, saying, "The Canadian officials have treated us very badly. They're nasty people." Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney responded by asserting that the lake would always be known as Lake Ontario, referencing its historical significance and Indigenous origins. Carney noted, "The name Lake Ontario comes from the Wendat word Ontari’io, which, appropriately, means 'the lake is beautiful, the lake is big.'" He emphasized that the name has been in use for over 400 years, predating both nations.
Trump's announcement follows a breakdown in trade negotiations between the US and Canada, which had been ongoing for weeks. The negotiations aimed to resolve disputes stemming from tariffs imposed by the Trump administration. After the talks failed, the US enacted 50% tariffs on a range of Canadian goods valued at $20 billion. Canada subsequently retaliated with tariffs on an equivalent amount of US imports. Ontario is a significant export destination for many US states, and Premier Doug Ford indicated that "everything is on the table" regarding potential retaliatory measures against US tariffs, including key exports like nickel and potash.