U.S. President Donald Trump has renamed Lake Ontario “Lake America” for federal use, intensifying tensions with Canada as the two countries remain locked in a trade dispute involving billions of dollars in tariffs.
The executive order applies only to U.S. government references and does not change the name used by Canada, international organizations, or other entities. The lake’s official name outside U.S. federal usage remains unchanged.
Canada and New York Reject the Name Change
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and New York Governor Kathy Hochul quickly rejected the change, noting that the name Lake Ontario has existed for more than four centuries.
Carney said the lake’s name predates both Canada and the United States as modern nations and argued that Canadians would continue referring to it as Lake Ontario.
“Naming reality means calling it Lake Ontario, then, now and always,” Carney said.
Lake Ontario is shared by Canada and the United States, with approximately 52% of its surface area located in Canada and the remainder bordering New York State.
New Move Adds Tension to U.S.-Canada Relations
The name change comes shortly after trade negotiations between Washington and Ottawa collapsed. Both sides blamed the other for ending discussions after several days of negotiations over tariffs and other economic issues.
Trump has previously criticized Canada’s trade relationship with the United States and has repeatedly suggested that Canada could become the 51st U.S. state, an idea Canadian leaders have rejected.
The dispute adds another challenge to future trade discussions, with disagreements involving tariffs, Canadian language policies, truck imports, and Canada’s ability to negotiate future trade agreements.
Indigenous Leaders Condemn the Decision
Grand Chief Pierre Picard of the Wendat Nation in Quebec criticized the renaming, saying the original name reflects Indigenous history and culture.
The name Ontario comes from the Wendat language and refers to the lake’s beauty and importance. Picard said the decision represented an attempt to erase historical and cultural connections.
Trump Suggests More Geographic Name Changes
Trump also suggested that other major geographic names could potentially be changed, including oceans.
The president previously ordered the Gulf of Mexico to be renamed the “Gulf of America” in 2025. The U.S. Board on Geographic Names later updated federal naming records to reflect the change for government use.
Since returning to office, Trump has also pushed to place his name on various symbols and institutions associated with American power, including buildings, government programs, and military projects.
Public Reaction and Canada-U.S. Relations
The move is unlikely to improve relations between the two countries as trade negotiations continue. Many Canadians have viewed the decision as provocative, while U.S. officials have defended the administration’s position on trade and diplomatic issues.
A Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted in May found that Canada remained one of the most positively viewed countries among Americans surveyed, receiving a favorable rating higher than other nations included in the poll.
