The United States has announced fresh restrictions on dealings with the International Criminal Court (ICC), expanding measures introduced under an executive order signed by President Donald Trump in February 2025.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Friday that the latest measures were intended to restrict the court’s access to resources, accusing it of pursuing cases against American citizens, elected officials, military personnel and border patrol agents despite the United States not being a member of the institution.
To manage the impact of the sanctions on selected activities, the US Treasury Department issued general licences permitting certain transactions involving the court.
One of the licences allows specified activities to continue for 180 days, including measures needed to maintain the ICC’s operations. Other exemptions cover certain information technology services, including cloud computing and software, as well as activities involving the court’s pension scheme and detainees.
Washington said the temporary authorisation was intended to give countries that belong to the ICC time to make progress towards diplomatic and legal solutions to US concerns.
The court, which is based in The Hague, Netherlands, condemned the expanded restrictions, describing them as an unprecedented action against the institution as a whole. It said the latest measures followed earlier sanctions against 13 of its judges and prosecutors.
In its response, the ICC argued that the restrictions could interfere with the administration of justice and undermine international legal principles. The court maintained that its mandate was to pursue accountability for serious crimes and protect victims.
ICC President Tomoko Akane reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to carrying out its responsibilities independently and impartially, despite the sanctions.
The latest development highlights the continuing dispute between Washington and the court over its authority to investigate and prosecute individuals accused of serious international crimes.
