Former President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that the United States is considering renaming Lake Ontario to "Lake America," citing a decrease in expected business with Canada. The statement, posted on his Truth Social platform, was a reaction to the ongoing trade dispute between the two countries.
The trade war escalated over the weekend when the U.S. imposed 50% tariffs on certain Canadian imports. Canada responded with its own retaliatory tariffs on various American goods.
This is not the first time Trump has proposed renaming a geographical feature. In February 2025, he declared the Gulf of Mexico would henceforth be known as the "Gulf of America."
Social media reactions to the "Lake America" proposal were largely critical and mocking, with many users ridiculing the suggestion and questioning its appropriateness amid current trade tensions. Some observers suggested the comment indicated a decline in Trump's political effectiveness, while others questioned whether renaming a lake should be a priority given the ongoing trade disputes.