Trump floats rename of Lake Ontario to Lake America amid trade dispute

President Donald Trump is pitching a new name for one of the Great Lakes as tensions with Canada continue to escalate, suggesting Lake Ontario could become “Lake America.”

Trump made the proposal Tuesday morning on Truth Social, tying the name change directly to the current trainwreck of a trade relationship between Washington and Ontario.

“The United States is giving serious consideration to changing the name of Lake Ontario to Lake America in that we don’t expect to be doing much business with Ontario any longer,” Trump wrote.

He later shared a graphic displaying “Lake America” across the body of water.

The proposal follows Trump's decision last year to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, a move that was implemented through executive order.

Lake Ontario is shared by Ontario and the US states of New York and Pennsylvania. It is one of five Great Lakes, which collectively contain roughly one-fifth of the world's surface fresh water. The province of Ontario is named after the lake, a Wyandot word that literally means "great lake." 

The naming ordeal comes as the two countries continue to butt heads in what's become a major trade war. Prime Minister Mark Carney suspended trade negotiations last Friday, accusing Washington of making last-minute demands affecting Canada's ability to negotiate trade agreements with other countries. A claim that French language rights were attacked was dismissed by the Trump admin, with Trump later posting on Truth that he "loves French Canadians."

A new round of 50 percent US tariffs on Canadian goods took effect Saturday, covering roughly $28 billion worth of exports. Canada has announced retaliatory measures that are scheduled to begin September 8.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford has backed Carney in the dispute while also criticizing Trump personally. Speaking to CNN Tuesday, Ford described Trump's Lake Ontario proposal as “a lot of rhetoric” and called for the two sides to resume negotiations.

“I want to make a good deal for the American people, a good deal for the Canadians,” Ford said.

“We’re the two greatest countries in the world. We’re each other’s No. 1 customer and it’s time to get back to the table and let’s negotiate a fair deal because it’s hurting the U.S., it’s hurting Canada and we just want to make sure that we have a fair deal.”

Trump also announced Monday that tariffs on Canadian cars, trucks, automotive parts and steel would rise to 50 percent beginning January 1, 2027.

“Canada has been ripping off the United States of America for years. Their ridiculously high tariffs on our Farmers and farm products has made life impossible for these great American Patriots, and has long created a 60 Billion Dollar Deficit between our two Countries. Not sustainable, and NOT ANYMORE! On January First, 2027, Tariffs on all Cars, Trucks, both large and small, Automotive Parts, and Steel, will be increased to 50%. Build in the U.S. and there are ZERO TARIFFS. Canada will be treated like a State no longer! On Trade, and in other ways, also, they are among the worst Nations in the World to deal with. They feel entitled, and yet, WE DON’T NEED CANADA, THEY NEED US! They do 95% of their business with the U.S., with us, the exact opposite! Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP”