After Gulf of Mexico, Trump wants to rename Lake Ontario on Canada border to 'America Lake'

President Donald Trump is seriously considering renaming Lake Ontario to 'Lake America,' citing escalating tensions with Canada and a lack of anticipated future trade. This potential rebranding follows a similar move where Trump ordered the Gulf of Mexico to be renamed the 'Gulf of America.' While such changes may not gain international recognition, they signal a hardening stance in US-Canada relations.

The choice of Lake Ontario for a name change is strategic, as the lake forms part of the border between the United States and Canada and is named after the Canadian province of Ontario. Trump's decision appears linked to the breakdown of a trade agreement between the two countries. He has indicated that he does not expect much further trade with the Canadian province, suggesting that the name change reflects this strained economic relationship.

Officially altering the name of the lake within the United States is within Trump's authority. However, other countries are not obligated to adopt these new names. For instance, while Google Maps displays 'Gulf of America' for users within the US, those outside the US still see 'Gulf of Mexico,' albeit with the former name in parentheses.

The broader context involves a significant trade conflict between the US and Canada. Trump has warned Canadian leaders of severe consequences if they do not comply with US demands. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has accused Washington of attempting to subjugate Canada, stating that US demands were unreasonable and that the proposed trade deal offered too little in return for the significant import tariffs threatened by the US.