U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a warning about potentially renaming Lake Ontario to “Lake America,” as stated in a social media update on Tuesday morning.
“The United States is seriously considering the renaming of Lake Ontario to Lake America since we anticipate limited business dealings with Ontario going forward. Thank you for your attention to this issue!” the president posted on Truth Social.
This statement came after a day of heightened tensions during faltering Canada-U.S. trade negotiations, where Ontario Premier Doug Ford told the president he could “kiss my ass”, while Trump labeled the premier as “Flunky Ford.”
Ford’s remarks were initially made on Toronto’s Newstalk 1010 radio Monday in reaction to the newly imposed tariffs. He later reinforced his stance during a news conference in Hamilton, Ontario, stating that “everything is on the table” regarding possible retaliation measures.
In the afternoon, Trump took to Truth Social to dismiss Ford’s comments as “bluster,” referring to both Ford and Carney as “clowns” and ineffective leaders.
When discussing U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to rename Lake Ontario ‘Lake America,’ Industry Minister Mélanie Joly stated that Canada will ‘be smart’ and ‘fight back’ as ‘all these shenanigans are happening.’
Last week, trade discussions between Canada and the United States collapsed, an outcome Prime Minister Mark Carney attributed to the Trump administration’s introduction of unacceptable measures, such as limiting Canada’s ability to negotiate agreements with other nations.
On Saturday, the U.S. initiated 50 percent tariffs on approximately $28 billion worth of Canadian goods. Prime Minister Mark Carney indicated that retaliatory tariffs, matching the U.S. measures dollar-for-dollar, would be implemented against the U.S. on September 8.
Ford changes tune, calls for return to bargaining table
When asked on CNN Tuesday if it was time to de-escalate the exchanges with President Trump, Ford agreed that it would be beneficial.
“Things got a bit heated. It became personal between the president and myself yesterday,” Ford told host Wolf Blitzer. “It’s time to return to negotiations. Let’s work towards a fair agreement, as it’s detrimental to both the U.S. and Canada.”
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Ford mentioned that Canada is the U.S.’s leading trading partner and expressed concern for Americans facing rising prices. He advocated for collaboration between the two nations to establish a “Fortress North America,” emphasizing the affection Canadians have for Americans — a sentiment he reiterated in a subsequent Fox News interview.
“When President Trump chooses to undermine our sovereignty and attack our businesses and people in Ontario, I can’t just comply,” he stated on CNN. “My responsibility is to safeguard Ontario and Canada and, ironically, to protect the American populace.”
‘Like dealing with a 4-year-old’: political strategist
Jaime Watt, a political strategist and executive chairman of the PR firm Navigator, expressed surprise at how long it took Trump to make this threat about the name change.
“He has a rather limited set of strategies. He tends to repeat about four main tactics,” Watt told CBC Radio’s Metro Morning on Tuesday. “Initially, it was the Gulf of Mexico, and now it’s Lake Ontario. It’s akin to managing a temperamental child.”
Watt noted that Trump has succeeded in uniting the country in ways that many politicians have not, but emphasized that this approach cannot continue indefinitely.
“You can’t allow the schoolyard bully to keep taking your lunch. You have to stand firm,” he asserted.
In line with this sentiment, Mississauga Mayor Carolyn Parrish responded to Trump via social media on Tuesday.
“Dear Mr. Trump: Since the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation settled along the shores of this lake, it has been our lifeblood,” she stated. “I, along with everyone in Mississauga, take pride in living by the shores of LAKE ONTARIO. We will defend its respected name!”
As the trade conflict escalates, the Trump administration has been making numerous claims about Canada and its economy that do not hold up. For The National, Erica Johnson asks CBC senior business correspondent Peter Armstrong to clarify the facts.
Lake name carries significance, history expert says
Mary Baxter, a PhD candidate at Western University and Great Lakes history expert, suggests there is a genuine possibility that this threat could materialize in some way. She recalls January 2025, when Trump renamed the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America as one of his initial executive actions following his inauguration.
“This president has a track record of announcing certain intentions and then following through,” she noted.
Given that Canada and the U.S. share jurisdiction over the lake, Baxter explains that each nation is entitled to designate shared geographic features as it sees fit. However, the international recognition of the lake’s name would ultimately depend on political dynamics and preferences. She also mentions that alterations to digital platforms such as Google Maps, which is American-owned, could happen more rapidly if the name change occurs.
Lake Ontario has been known by this name since prior to the American Revolution, according to Mary Baxter, a PhD candidate at Western University and Great Lakes history expert (Valerie Macon/AFP/Getty Images)
Baxter argues that such a change would be regrettable. She emphasizes that Lake Ontario has held this name since before the American Revolution.
“Often, we only recognize the importance of something when it is at risk of being taken away,” she remarked. “Considering a name that has persisted for so long, like Lake Ontario, I believe it is crucial not only for Ontarians but also for the First Nations who continue to reside around its shores.”
Several individuals interviewed by CBC News near Lake Ontario in Toronto’s eastern area on Tuesday dismissed the remarks as absurd.
“I think [Trump] is running out of things to say. He exhausted that idea a long time ago with the Gulf of Mexico, so he’s essentially repeating himself. I’ve often wondered, ‘Why does anyone pay attention?'” commented Gillian Hegge.
Sean Fennell noted that the comments reflect Trump’s usual method of “pushing buttons.”
“There’s a hint of humor… but you can’t take this man seriously,” he added.