President Donald Trump has issued an executive order renaming Lake Ontario to “Lake America” amidst escalating tensions with Canada. Trump, seated near a map displaying the new name, criticized Canada for being demanding and accused the country of unfair practices against the United States.

Trump defended his actions, stating that Canada has mistreated the U.S., leading to strained relations. The dispute between the two nations intensified after failed trade negotiations, with both sides blaming each other for last-minute changes.

The name change proposal initially arose during a heated exchange between Trump and Ontario Premier Doug Ford. Insults were exchanged, with Ford labeling Trump a bully, and Trump retaliating by criticizing Ford’s intelligence.

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, a former North Dakota governor, supported the renaming, emphasizing the importance of reflecting American greatness in geographical names. However, Canadian officials expressed disbelief and reaffirmed their commitment to calling the lake by its traditional name, Lake Ontario.

Lake Ontario, one of the Great Lakes situated between Ontario and New York, derives its name from the Huron Indigenous people’s term “oniatarí:io,” meaning “lake of shining waters.” The controversy echoes a similar incident from last year when Trump renamed the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America through an executive order. This change, although limited to federal documents, stirred debate and led to disputes between the White House and The Associated Press over naming conventions.