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Trump proposes renaming Lake Ontario
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Trump proposed renaming Lake Ontario to 'Lake America' amid escalating U.S.-Canada trade war. The move signals deepening rift as Canada retaliates with tariffs.
Background
The proposal comes as the U.S. and Canada are locked in a trade dispute, with the U.S. enacting 50% tariffs on $20 billion of Canadian goods after talks broke down. Trump previously renamed the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America via executive order, setting a precedent for unilateral geographic renaming.
How it unfolded
- Jan 2025Trump signed an executive order renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America and Denali to Mount McKinley.
- Aug 25, 2026Trump posted on Truth Social that the U.S. is considering renaming Lake Ontario to 'Lake America,' citing reduced business with Ontario.
- Aug 25, 2026Canada announced retaliatory tariffs in response to U.S. tariffs, and Canadian officials and residents dismissed the renaming idea.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- Canada's Minister for Canada-US Trade Dominic LeBlanc declined to comment, saying the government decided not to respond to daily social media posts.
- Public
- Ontario resident Patricia Wiseman said, 'He can blow out his hole as much as he wants to, but it’s never going to happen, because Canadians are strong.'
Still unverified
Trump's claim that Canada has been 'ripping off the US for decades' with tariffs over 400% and causing $60 billion annual losses is unverified and disputed.