U.S. Imposes Broad Sanctions on International Criminal Court
The Trump administration announced broad sanctions against the International Criminal Court on Friday, escalating a dispute over the court’s investigations involving Americans and Israelis. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States would prohibit transactions with the ICC and restrict its access to U.S. financial services, technology companies and dollars.
The measures give U.S. companies and individuals six months to wind down business with the court. They go beyond earlier U.S. sanctions targeting individual ICC judges and prosecutors by potentially affecting companies that provide services to the institution itself. Rubio said the United States does not recognize the court’s jurisdiction over Americans and urged allied countries to join the sanctions.
The ICC rejected the move, calling it an attempt to obstruct justice and “an assault on the rule of law.” Its president, Tomoko Akane, said the court would continue its work independently, based on law and evidence. The ICC called on its 125 member states to defend the institution.
Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom issued a joint statement opposing the sanctions. They warned that the measures could significantly affect the court’s operations, staff and their families, and pledged to continue supporting its work. Amnesty International also criticized the U.S. decision.
The Netherlands, which hosts the court, has discussed possible responses with the European Commission. One option is an EU blocking statute that could limit European companies’ compliance with the U.S. measures. Dutch officials have described that step as a last resort.
Founded in 2002, the ICC prosecutes genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity when cases are not otherwise handled. The sanctions highlight a continuing disagreement over its authority: Washington says the court threatens Americans and U.S. allies, while the ICC and its supporters say its work is necessary to pursue accountability for serious crimes. The immediate question is how the restrictions will affect its day-to-day work.