Trump Renames Lake Ontario to 'Lake America' in Trade Tensions with Canada
US President Trump has sparked controversy by renaming Lake Ontario to 'Lake America' on US maps. The change is part of a larger effort to emphasize US dominance in trade negotiations with Canada, where most of the lake's volume and depth are located.
In a statement, Trump noted that the name change is only applicable for US federal use and aims to assert American influence over shared waters.
Major online maps like Google and Apple now display 'Lake America' for American users, but maintain the original name 'Lake Ontario' elsewhere. This move has been met with both support and criticism from various quarters.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul and Canadian officials have stuck to using the traditional Indigenous-rooted name 'Lake Ontario', while supporters of the change are sharing photos of 'LAKE AMERICA' caps and claiming a surge in US shore business.