Trump renames shared US-Canada lake 'America'

In a provocative move amid escalating trade disputes, U.S. President Donald Trump has ordered the renaming of Lake Ontario, a major body of water shared by the United States and Canada, to Lake America. The White House announced the immediate change via social media, posting a map with "Lake America" superimposed on the location of Lake Ontario.

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Immediate Effect: Lake Ontario is renamed Lake America!

The executive order claims the lake would not be as open without U.S. security and investment, asserting it is a "tremendous asset" to the United States. The order further argues that since the deepest point of the lake lies within U.S. territory, America holds rights to most of its water. This follows a similar renaming order last year for the Gulf of Mexico, which Trump sought to rename the Gulf of America.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau responded calmly, highlighting on social media that "Ontario" originates from the Wendat word "Ontari’io," meaning "great lake." He emphasized the name's 400-year history, predating both Canadian confederation and American independence. Trudeau also noted that Canadians know the name has always been and will remain Lake Ontario, subtly pointing to shifts in U.S. foreign policy, diplomacy, and national symbols.

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The name Ontario comes from the Wendat word Ontari’io, meaning ‘great lake.’ It is a name that has been used for over 400 years, predating Canadian Confederation and the US Declaration of Independence. Canadians know it as Lake Ontario – today, tomorrow, always.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul, whose state borders the lake, directly challenged the order, retweeting the White House announcement with the comment, "New York will not be calling it that." This defiance underscores the local opposition to Trump's unilateral decision.

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New York will not be calling it that.

Trump's action comes just a week after trade talks between the U.S. and Canada broke down, leading to a trade war. The president, who has previously referred to Canada as America's "51st state," appears to be using the lake renaming as another point of leverage. He further suggested that the names of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans might also be changed to Americanized versions, stating, "Now all we need is the sea. We might have to change the Atlantic or Pacific, maybe we will." A University of Toronto professor quipped that the only surprising aspect was that Trump didn't name it "Trump Lake."

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We have the Gulf of America and the Lake of America. Now all we need is the sea. We might have to change the Atlantic or Pacific, maybe we will.