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President-elect Donald Trump has called on Panama to lower fees on the Panama Canal or return control of the waterway to the United States, accusing the Central American country of imposing "exorbitant prices" on American shipping and naval vessels."The fees being charged by Panama are outrageous and highly unfair," Trump told a crowd of supporters in Arizona on Sunday. "This complete rip-off of our country will stop immediately," he declared, referring to his plans once in office next month.Panama's president swiftly rebuffed Trump’s remarks, stating that "every square meter" of the canal and its surrounding territory belongs to Panama. President José Raúl Mulino also emphasized that Panama's sovereignty and independence were non-negotiable.Trump's comments were delivered at a Turning Point USA event, a conservative activist group that played a significant role in his 2024 election campaign. The remarks mark a rare instance of a U.S. leader suggesting they could pressure another country to relinquish territory, though Trump did not detail how he would pursue such a demand. The statements also hint at possible shifts in U.S. foreign policy and diplomacy when Trump assumes office on January 20.The president-elect's comments follow a similar statement he made a day earlier, in which he described the Panama Canal as a "vital national asset" for the United States. He warned that if Panama did not reduce its shipping fees, "we will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to us, in full, quickly and without question."The 51-mile (82-kilometer) Panama Canal is a crucial waterway linking the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Built in the early 1900s, the canal was under U.S. control until 1977, when a series of treaties began transferring its administration back to Panama. By 1999, Panama assumed full control of the canal.Up to 14,000 vessels transit the canal annually, including container ships carrying goods such as cars and natural gas, as well as military vessels.In addition to Panama, Trump also criticized Canada and Mexico for what he described as unfair trade practices. He accused both nations of allowing drugs and migrants to flow into the United States, although he referred to Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum as a "wonderful woman."Familiar Themes at Turning Point USA EventTrump’s comments came during Turning Point USA's annual conference, a major gathering of conservative activists. The group invested heavily in voter turnout efforts in swing states during the election, aiming to bolster Trump and other Republican candidates.This was Trump’s first public appearance since Congress passed a stopgap measure to keep the U.S. government funded, after controversial provisions like raising the debt ceiling were removed. While Trump had supported increasing the debt ceiling, he did not address the issue in his speech, instead focusing on familiar campaign themes such as immigration, crime, and foreign trade.He also took a moment to dispel rumors about his relationship with Elon Musk. "They’re on a new kick now, saying that President Trump has ceded the presidency to Elon Musk," he said. "No, no, that’s not happening. He’s not gonna be president."The conference also featured other speakers critical of government spending and bipartisan failures in Congress. However, the divisions within the Republican Party, which have been on full display in recent weeks, were largely absent from the event.