US reportedly preparing institutional sanctions against International Criminal Court
The proposed measures could restrict most US transactions with the ICC after a six- to seven-month grace period, affecting services, payments and investigations.
The Trump administration is reportedly preparing sanctions targeting the International Criminal Court as an institution, in a move that could significantly restrict the tribunal’s access to US-linked money, goods and services.
Al Jazeera reported, citing accounts from The Wall Street Journal and Reuters, that the measures could prohibit most transactions with the ICC after a six- to seven-month grace period. The proposal has not been formally confirmed, and its scope, exemptions and licensing arrangements remain unclear.
If imposed, the sanctions could affect the court’s finances, information technology, insurance, investigations and routine payments, including salaries for American employees. Banks and companies that depend on access to the US financial system may also take a cautious approach to dealings with the ICC.
The proposed action would extend Washington’s campaign beyond individual judges and prosecutors. Donald Trump signed an executive order sanctioning more than a dozen ICC judges and prosecutors in February 2025, while sanctions against ICC President Tomoko Akane and senior trial lawyer Abdoulaye Seye took effect on 17 September.
The United States has never joined the ICC and says the court has exceeded its authority by pursuing officials from countries that are not members. Tensions intensified after the court issued arrest warrants in November 2024 for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defence minister Yoav Gallant.
Reports said an announcement could come during this week’s United Nations General Assembly in New York or shortly afterwards. The ICC prosecutes individuals accused of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity when national authorities cannot or will not act.
