WASHINGTON – The administration of US President Donald Trump has imposed sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC), escalating tensions with the international judicial body and risking a diplomatic rift with Washington’s European allies.
The announcement came hours after former ICC Appeals Chamber judge Navi Pillay received the Nobel Peace Prize, with the award committee highlighting growing political pressure on international judicial institutions.
The International Criminal Court strongly condemned the US action, describing it as an attack on the rule of law and the foundations of the international legal system. It urged its 125 member states to unite in defending the court’s independence and operations.
In a statement, the court said its future depended not only on the institution itself but also on the countries that had established it, warning that the consequences of the decision would extend beyond the ICC to the broader international legal order.
Founded in 2002 under the Rome Statute, the ICC prosecutes individuals accused of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide. Although the United States initially signed the treaty, it never ratified it and is not a member of the court.
The Trump administration has repeatedly challenged the ICC’s authority, previously targeting individual judges and prosecutors with sanctions. The latest measures represent a broader escalation by potentially restricting companies that provide services to the institution.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington would not permit the court to prosecute American citizens, describing the ICC as an illegitimate body and announcing restrictions intended to limit its access to resources and services.
The US Treasury Department announced an initial six-month grace period for implementing the sanctions, alongside exemptions covering certain activities, including telecommunications, software, pension payments and transactions involving detainees.
Rubio said the measures had been designed to give the court and its member states time to address Washington’s concerns, adding that the restrictions could be adjusted if those concerns remained unresolved.
Washington has particularly criticised the ICC over arrest warrants issued against Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as well as its investigation into alleged crimes involving US military personnel in Afghanistan. The court has said its Afghanistan investigation has been deprioritised.
ICC Deputy Prosecutor Nazhat Shameem Khan said the sanctions were intended to weaken the rule of law and undermine the work of an independent judicial institution. She maintained that the court would continue its investigations and prosecutions.
The move prompted concern among European officials. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the six-month grace period provided an opportunity for dialogue but stressed that the bloc had options to protect the court’s work.
Belgium’s foreign minister also called for the European Union to consider activating a blocking statute to shield the ICC from the effects of US sanctions.
The court has issued arrest warrants against dozens of individuals implicated in major international conflicts. Those targeted have included Netanyahu, Russian President Vladimir Putin, former Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir and Hamas figures. The ICC has also sought the arrest of other individuals accused of serious international crimes.
Pillay’s Nobel Peace Prize was presented as a show of support for international justice at a time when the award committee said judges and institutions responsible for upholding international law were facing political pressure.
The committee stressed that holding those responsible for war crimes accountable and securing justice for victims were essential foundations for lasting peace.
US sanctions can have far-reaching consequences for organisations and individuals targeted by Washington, as American companies may be prohibited from conducting business with them. Such restrictions can also complicate banking, insurance coverage, software access and other essential services.
During Trump’s first presidency, Washington imposed sanctions on ICC officials, but the measures were lifted under President Joe Biden. The administration renewed its confrontation with the court after Trump returned to office in January 2025.
Anticipating the possibility of broader restrictions, ICC officials had reportedly begun preparations to reduce their reliance on US-based services, including replacing some Microsoft software with open-source alternatives and exploring alternative banking and health insurance arrangements.
