U.S. imposes sweeping sanctions on International Criminal Court in The Hague

The United States has announced sweeping sanctions targeting the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, the State Department said. The measures bar transactions with the court, cut off its resources and are intended to sharply limit its ability to operate.

Washington frames the move as defence of Americans and a response to ICC actions

In an official statement the department described the ICC as "a court that acts contrary to the rules" and quoted the president: "President Trump will never allow the International Criminal Court to try Americans."

The United States has never acceded to the Rome Statute and rejects the court's jurisdiction over American citizens, members of the armed forces and political leaders. Earlier steps from Washington targeted individual ICC judges and prosecutors.

The State Department said it had delayed imposing institutional sanctions in the hope that the ICC or its member states would address U.S. concerns, but that neither side had taken substantive steps. The statement added that Washington remains open to a diplomatic solution while warning that further measures could follow.

The declaration concluded with a stark ultimatum: "Either the ICC will end its threats, or we will end the ICC," and warned that the United States could continue a campaign to abolish the court "brick by brick."

Photo: press material from the event