Eight U.S. allies jointly reject Trump administration’s ICC sanctions and pledge “unwavering support” for the court

The foreign ministers of Canada, Denmark, Germany, France, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom jointly rejected the Trump administration’s sanctions against the International Criminal Court on Friday, reaffirming their “continued and unwavering support” for the court’s independence, impartiality and integrity. The eight countries warned that the U.S. measures, if implemented, would significantly affect the ICC’s work, its staff and their families.

“As committed supporters of the ICC we regret and strongly disagree with the announcement of sanctions to be imposed upon the Court by the United States,” the eight governments said.

The ministers praised the ICC for preparing for the restrictions and pledged to help ensure it can continue fulfilling its mandate under the Rome Statute. They said they would remain united in supporting the court while pursuing “constructive and inclusive dialogue” with countries that are not ICC members ahead of the Assembly of States Parties in December.

The joint statement adds to a broader pushback from Washington’s European allies after the United States sanctioned the ICC as an institution. The European Commission separately called the move “deeply regrettable” and said the EU was prepared to take necessary measures to protect the court’s work, while the Netherlands, which hosts the ICC in The Hague, said the six-month period before the sanctions take effect should be used for dialogue.

All eight countries that signed Friday’s statement are parties to the Rome Statute. The United States is not an ICC member and has long opposed the court exercising jurisdiction over U.S. nationals; tensions have also intensified over the ICC’s arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.