Trump threatens to rename Lake Ontario amid Canada spat
President Donald Trump said the United States is giving serious consideration to renaming Lake Ontario to “Lake America,” escalating a trade feud with Canada after talks collapsed. The Truth Social post framed the move as a response to expecting little future business with Ontario.
Key Takeaways
- Trump floated renaming Lake Ontario as “Lake America” after U.S.–Canada trade talks broke down.
- He warned Canadian leaders of “far WORSE” consequences if they do not “fall in line.”
- New 50% U.S. tariffs hit about $20 billion in Canadian goods; auto and steel tariffs are threatened for 2027.
- Lake Ontario is the smallest Great Lake by surface area, separating New York from Ontario.
- Trump previously ordered renaming the Gulf of Mexico the “Gulf of America.”
The proposal surfaced Tuesday as tensions between the longtime allies rose amid an ongoing trade war. According to CNN, Trump wrote that Washington does not expect to do much business with Ontario any longer.
What did Trump say about Lake Ontario?
In a Truth Social post, Trump said the United States is “giving serious consideration” to changing the name of Lake Ontario to Lake America. He tied the idea to diminished expectations for commerce with Ontario.
Lake Ontario is the smallest of the five Great Lakes by surface area. It separates the state of New York from the Canadian province of Ontario.
Why is the spat with Canada escalating?
Trump’s lake remark came a day after he warned Canada of “far WORSE” consequences if its leaders do not “fall in line.” Negotiations between the neighboring countries broke down on August 21 in Washington.
That collapse put into force new 50-percent U.S. tariffs affecting about $20 billion worth of goods, or roughly 5.5 percent of Canadian exports to the United States. Impacted products range from hockey sticks to cement.
Trump has repeatedly criticized Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Ontario Premier Doug Ford, accusing Canada of taking advantage of the United States for decades. On Monday he mocked Ford as a less impressive brother of the late Rob Ford and said someone should get “these clowns” to fall in line.
He also threatened to raise tariffs on Canadian cars, trucks, automotive parts, and steel to 50% beginning January 1, 2027. Canada has vowed to respond with “dollar-for-dollar” tariffs beginning September 8. The Independent reported Ford denounced Trump as a bully and a dictator after the personal insults.
Has Trump tried renaming waters before?
Yes. On his first day in office in his second term, Trump signed an executive order calling for the Gulf of Mexico to be renamed the “Gulf of America.” U.S. government agencies and the Coast Guard have since adopted the name, while other countries have not recognized the change.
In May 2025, the House passed a Republican-led bill to rename the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America. The White House also clashed with The Associated Press after the outlet continued using “Gulf of Mexico”; a federal judge later ruled that punishing the AP by restricting event access was unconstitutional.
Cross-border supply chains in autos, energy, and agriculture face deepening uncertainty as the feud continues. For related coverage on stress, resilience, and long-term wellness trends, explore our Longevity & Biohacking section.