Carney rejects Trump 'Lake America' order, vows to keep Lake Ontario

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Thursday dismissed US President Donald Trump's executive order rebranding Lake Ontario as "Lake America," declaring that Canadians will continue to use the centuries-old name that predates both nations' founding documents.

Historical name predates both nations

Carney laid out the historical significance of the name in a post on X, noting that the designation carries more than 400 years of history. "The name Lake Ontario comes from the Wendat word Ontari’io, which, appropriately, means 'the lake is beautiful, the lake is big'," he said, explaining that the term predates both the Confederation of Canada and the American Declaration of Independence. Carney added that while Washington is changing its trading relationships, foreign policies and even hydronyms, Canadians remain committed to the lake's traditional designation — then, now and always.

Trump signs executive order

Trump formalized the renaming during a ceremony in the Oval Office, declaring that the change would take effect without delay. "We’re going to be changing the name of Lake Ontario, effective immediately to 'Lake America'," he said before signing the executive order. The move comes as bilateral relations have deteriorated sharply over trade disputes.

Trade tensions escalate

Washington and Ottawa have exchanged punitive measures since the collapse of trade negotiations earlier this year, with the US imposing new tariffs on Canadian goods and Ottawa responding with retaliatory levies. The latest executive order on the lake's designation appears to mark another flashpoint in the deepening economic rift between the neighboring countries. Bilateral talks remain stalled as both sides maintain their respective tariff regimes.