President Donald Trump announced this week he is giving "serious consideration" to renaming Lake Ontario, a body of water straddling the U.S. and Canadian border. The suggestion comes amid an escalating trade dispute between the two countries.
Trump's statement on social media indicated the potential name change is linked to ongoing trade negotiations and his threat to impose 50% tariffs on cars and auto parts imported from Canada. He stated that the U.S. "does not expect to be doing much business with Ontario any longer," appearing to rationalize the proposed renaming.
Canadian officials have indicated that they will reject the potential name change and will continue to refer to the lake by its current name. The specific rationale for targeting Lake Ontario in the context of the trade war was not further elaborated by the President.
This move is the latest in a series of high-profile actions and statements from the Trump administration related to international trade, particularly with North American neighbors.