Donald Trump has advocated renaming Lake Ontario to 'Lake America', saying he doesn't 'expect to do much business' with Canada any longer. The proposal comes amid an escalating tariff feud with the US's northern neighbour.
In a post on Truth Social, the president wrote: 'The United States is giving serious consideration to changing the name of Lake Ontario to Lake America in that we don't expect to do much business with Ontario any longer. Thank you for your attention to this matter!'
Trump's criticism of Canada
Trump also accused Canada of 'Ripping Off' the USA for decades, claiming they have been charging US farmers '400% Tariffs' and have driven 'many wonderful U.S. companies out of business'. He said: 'For 10 years they wouldn't certify Gulfstream Jets, until I got involved. They wanted 100% of the market for Gulfstream's Canadian competitor.'
He added: 'I deal with many countries, and Canada is easily the most difficult and unreasonable. They feel entitled, but they are not a State, and will be entitled no longer.'
Trade tensions escalate
This week, Trump has been threatening Canada with 'far worse' consequences if Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney doesn't engage in trade discussions. The president is threatening to increase tariffs on Canadian trucks, cars, steel and automotive parts beginning next January. In response, Canada threatened 'dollar-for-dollar' tariffs.
Carney said Canada would only resume trade discussions with the US if the nation entered with the 'right attitude'. Ontario premier Doug Ford took a different approach to the failed talks.
Ford's response and Trump's retort
In a press conference yesterday, Ford told Trump to 'kiss my ass' and said Canada should charge the US for oil and gas. Ford, the brother of late Toronto Mayor Rob Ford, also called Trump a 'dictator, bully and a loser'.
Trump responded on Truth Social: 'Lots of "bluster" from Doug Ford, who is the Premier of the Canadian Province of Ontario, but who is better known as the less charismatic, intelligent, and overall unimpressive brother of the late, great, Rob Ford. America has been carrying Canada for decades, but no longer! The U.S.A. will always be far bigger, richer, and stronger than Canada.'
Previous renaming efforts
After re-entering office in 2025, Trump attempted to 'rename' the Gulf of Mexico the 'Gulf of America'. It was one of the Republicans' first calls as US president hours after being sworn in. Similarly, Alaska's Denali was changed back to Mount McKinley, almost 10 years after it was renamed during Barack Obama's presidency.
