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🇮🇸 Iceland /Economy & Trade

Trump Orders Lake Ontario Renamed 'America Lake' Amid Trade Dispute

From Morgunblaðið · () Icelandic

Translated from Icelandic and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News From a news agency New plan
  • U.S. President Donald Trump ordered Lake Ontario to be renamed 'America Lake' as part of escalating trade tensions with Canada.
  • Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau immediately rejected the order, asserting the lake's name is 400 years old and predates both nations.
  • The move mirrors a previous unilateral renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to 'America Gulf,' which Mexico also rejected.

In a move that further strains U.S.-Canada relations, President Donald Trump has ordered the renaming of Lake Ontario to 'America Lake.' The directive, issued during a press conference announcing an escalation of the trade war, was presented alongside a map where the lake's name was altered in red lettering.

We are going to change the name of Lake Ontario to America Lake with immediate effect.

— Donald TrumpAnnouncing the renaming order in the White House.

Trump's declaration was swiftly rebuffed by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Trudeau emphasized that the name 'Lake Ontario' is approximately 400 years old, predating both the United States and Canada, and originates from Indigenous languages. He asserted that the lake would retain its historical name, stating, "It was called Lake Ontario, it is called Lake Ontario now, and it will always be called Lake Ontario."

The U.S. Interior Department has been instructed to update official references within 30 days. The justification provided in the order claims the deepest part of the lake lies on the U.S. side, thus warranting American claim. This unilateral action echoes Trump's January 2025 decision to rename the Gulf of Mexico 'America Gulf,' a designation also rejected by Mexico.

It was called Lake Ontario, it is called Lake Ontario now, and it will always be called Lake Ontario.

— Justin TrudeauRejecting Trump's renaming order and affirming the lake's historical name.

Trump also hinted at further potential renamings, suggesting that oceans bordering the U.S. could be next. "We have gulfs and we have lakes. Now we just need oceans. Maybe we have to rename the Atlantic or the Pacific. Maybe both," he remarked, underscoring a pattern of assertive, nationalistic branding initiatives.

We have gulfs and we have lakes. Now we just need oceans. Maybe we have to rename the Atlantic or the Pacific. Maybe both.

— Donald TrumpHinting at future renaming initiatives for oceans bordering the U.S.

The dispute over the lake's name comes as retaliatory tariffs were imposed by both countries following the breakdown of trade talks last week. Trump also made disparaging remarks about Canadian officials, calling them "disgusting people."

They are disgusting people.

— Donald TrumpDescribing Canadian officials during the press conference.
About this summary

Originally published by Morgunblaðið in Icelandic. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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