Several US allies have condemned the recent sanctions imposed by the United States against the International Criminal Court (ICC) and reiterated their support for the tribunal. On October 9, 2026, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced sanctions aimed at banning transactions with the ICC, which he referred to as a "rogue court," stating that these measures would cut off its resources and hinder its operations. He emphasized that President Donald Trump would not permit the Hague to prosecute Americans.
The ICC, established in 2002 to prosecute individuals for genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity, received the sanctions announcement from the US Treasury Department, which included a six-month grace period and exemptions for certain transactions related to telecommunications, software, pension payments, and detainees.
Rubio indicated that the sanctions would provide an opportunity for the ICC and its member states to address US concerns, with adjustments possible if those demands were not met. The Trump administration has criticized the ICC for pursuing officials from non-member countries, including Israel, which, along with the US, has never joined the court.
In response to the sanctions, the ICC described the action as an "assault on the rule of law" and urged its 125 member states to defend the institution, stating, "The Court cannot stand alone. Its fate now rests also in the hands of the states that created it."
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed deep concern over the sanctions' potential impact on the ICC's ability to fulfill its mandate, calling the decision a significant setback for international criminal justice. UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk labeled the sanctions as "unacceptable" and called for immediate measures to protect the ICC.
Foreign ministers from the UK, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Canada, and Japan released a joint statement expressing regret and strong disagreement with the sanctions, highlighting the significant impact they could have on the Court's operations and its staff. Dutch Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen noted that the sanctions would not take effect immediately, allowing for potential dialogue.
Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot announced plans to discuss support for the ICC with EU colleagues and emphasized the need for the EU to activate the Blocking Statute to protect the court.
Rights organizations also condemned the US decision. Philippe Bolopion from Human Rights Watch accused the Trump administration of attempting to undermine the ICC and shield US and Israeli officials from accountability. James Goldston from the Open Society Justice Initiative described the sanctions as a "calculated attack on the rule of law."
Amnesty International urged countries to resist the sanctions, stating that they are intended to isolate and destroy the ICC. In contrast, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the US sanctions, calling the ICC a political entity that threatens democracies and national sovereignty. Notably, the ICC issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu in 2024 on war crimes charges related to the conflict in Gaza.