US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order renaming Lake Ontario as Lake America in US federal records.
The move comes amid escalating trade tensions between the US and Canada following the breakdown of negotiations.
Canadian officials have rejected the name change, with Prime Minister Mark Carney defending the lake’s historic name.
Trump can change the name for the US federal government, but cannot compel Canada, private companies or US states to use it.
Canada is also preparing new tariffs on hundreds of American goods, adding to tensions between the two neighbours.—Aug 28, 2026
Main image: South China Morning Post
