Lake Ontario: Carney rejects Trump’s renaming, says name will remain

A Canadian flag flies along the waterfront of Lake Ontario, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on August 27, 2026. US President Donald Trump announced that he is renaming Lake Ontario — a large body of water shared by the United States and Canada — “Lake America.” Trump signed an order in the White House in a move that comes amid a spiraling trade war between the world’s largest economy and its northern neighbor. (Photo by Cole Burston / AFP)

By Favour Ulebor & Agency report

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Thursday rejected United States President Donald Trump’s move to rename Lake Ontario as “Lake America”, insisting that the water body would continue to be known by its existing name.

Carney said the name “Lake Ontario” was more than 400 years old and predated both the Confederation of Canada and the Declaration of Independence of the United States.

In his X post, Carney noted, “The name is more than 400 years ​old, predating ​both the Confederation of Canada ‌and ⁠the Declaration of Independence of the United States of ​America.

“Canadians also know that ​naming reality ​means ⁠calling it Lake Ontario – then, now ⁠and ​always.”

The development came amid growing tensions between Canada and the United States over trade, following the collapse of negotiations between the two countries.

Carney had on Tuesday announced that Canada would impose retaliatory tariffs on $20 billion worth of US goods from September 8, 2026.

The decision followed the Trump administration’s imposition of 50 per cent tariffs on Canadian goods after trade negotiations between the two countries broke down.

The failure of last-minute negotiations on Friday marked a fresh strain in the Canada-US relationship, which has for decades been regarded as one of the most integrated and stable bilateral partnerships.

Data from the US Embassy shows that trade in goods and services between the two countries averages about $2.5 billion daily.

Carney said Canada had recognised that “America has changed” and that the two countries would “not return to our old relationship.”

Trump subsequently intensified the confrontation on Monday, telling Canadian leaders to “fall in line.”

The United States buys between $380 billion and $400 billion worth of goods from Canada annually, accounting for about 12 to 14 per cent of total US imports.

Canada also accounts for about 14 per cent of total US exports, making it one of the United States’ largest trading partners.

However, the trade relationship remains heavily dependent on the US market, with Canada buying about 62.2 per cent of its imported goods from the US and sending about 72 per cent of its exports to the US.

The tariffs affect several sectors, including steel, dairy products, appliances and paper.

However, some highly integrated sectors, including crude oil and automobile manufacturing, have largely been excluded in a bid to prevent severe price increases and disruptions on both sides of the border.

The latest measures are part of a wider series of retaliatory actions by countries, including China and the European Union, in response to US tariff policies.

Trade experts, including Robert Lawrence, have described such measures as protectionist policies aimed at protecting domestic industries and increasing political leverage in international negotiations.

The long-term impact of the escalating trade disputes between the United States and its trading partners remains uncertain.