Trump's Lake Ontario Renaming Stunt Proves Yet Again He Does Not See Canada as a Partner

 

A little over 72 hours ago, President Trump saw fit to rename Lake Ontario as Lake America by an Executive Order.

This move is, of course, reminiscent of when he renamed the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America on his first day in office of his second term.

As silly and stupid as Trump's Executive Order is, it still carries weight and Google Maps has gone along with it for users in this country.

For Canada and the rest of the world, the easternmost of the Great Lakes will remain Ontario. 

Yesterday, Ontario Premier Doug Ford erected a large sign near Grimsby, Ontario bearing the inscription, "Lake Ontario Now and Always" in both official languages.

Ford stated, “Long after President Trump is gone, it will still be called Lake Ontario.” 

Above all else, it demonstrates once more that Trump does not view Canada as a partner but as a nuisance because it will not roll over and play dead. 

Yet I would not be surprised if the Trump Administration makes overtures to Canada to return to the negotiating table between now and Labor Day weekend as Canadian counter-tariffs are due to take effect on September 8th. 

But as long as CUSMA is a dead letter, these tariffs are in place, and the White House insists on using the Lake America moniker then there is nothing for Canada to discuss with the Trump Administration.