Trump Says US Considering Renaming Lake Ontario as Lake America
Trump's remarks come amid a deepening cross-border trade feud that has increasingly centered on Ontario Premier Doug Ford.
Canadian Minister of Industry Mélanie Joly responded to President Donald Trump's suggestion to rename Lake Ontario as Lake America. Joly expressed pride in the Great Lakes and vowed to defend them. Trump proposed the change, believing there would be less trade business with Ontario. The move comes amid deteriorating relations between the U.S. and Canada due to stalled trade talks and escalating trade tensions.
Cultural and historical geographer Derek Alderman suggested the renaming could be an attempt to exert influence territorially. Geographer Reuben Rose-Redwood called it "pure rage bait" aimed at stirring anger and distracting from the trade dispute. The White House shared a Lego-style map labeling the lake as Lake America, though it incorrectly placed Washington, D.C. in North Carolina.
The president's threat may backfire, as changing the name would only affect U.S. federal maps, while Canada and international mapmakers are not obligated to comply.
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