Tensions between the United States and Canada have taken another turn after President Donald Trump ordered Lake Ontario renamed “Lake America.”
Trump announced the change on Thursday after earlier saying he was considering the move amid escalating trade tensions with Canada.
The President said the renaming was “effective immediately” after signing an order at the White House.
Lake Ontario is one of the five Great Lakes shared by the United States and Canada, bordering New York State and the Canadian province of Ontario.
Toronto, Canada’s largest city, is located on the lake’s northwestern shore.
The development comes as Trump’s trade dispute with Canada intensifies, with Ottawa imposing retaliatory tariffs on US goods following the breakdown of trade talks.
Trump has also renewed his call for Canada to become the 51st US state.
The move follows his earlier decision to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America,” a change that has been rejected by Mexico.
Trump’s latest action also comes amid a public dispute with Ontario Premier Doug Ford, who has criticised the US President over his trade policies.
The renaming of Lake Ontario is expected to add to tensions between the two historically close neighbours.
