Trump signs order to rename Lake Ontario to Lake America
US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to rename Lake Ontario to Lake America following a breakdown in trade negotiations with Canada. The Canadian government has rejected the move, asserting that the lake's name remains unchanged.
Why it matters
This action represents a significant escalation in diplomatic tensions between the US and Canada, highlighting the use of symbolic geopolitical gestures in trade disputes.
Figure caption, Watch: Trump signs executive order renaming Lake Ontario to Lake America
US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order seeking to change the name of Lake Ontario to Lake America.
The move comes after trade talks between the US and Canada collapsed last week, and the US imposed new 50% tariffs on $20bn (C$28bn) worth of Canadian goods. Canada will implement "dollar for dollar" counter tariffs next month.
Trump said on Thursday the move was "official, effective immediately" and that his administration has "filed all the necessary papers" to rename the lake, which straddles both countries.
In response, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said "things must be called by their name, and this lake is called Lake Ontario – today and forever".
Trump has repeatedly posted threats about renaming the lake on social media amid the trade dispute.
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