EU Urged to Invoke Blocking Statute to Shield ICC from US Sanctions

Published Aug 21, 03:50 PM UTC

MEPs and several EU governments are pressing the European Commission to activate a 1996 blocking statute that would prohibit EU companies and banks from complying with US sanctions targeting the International Criminal Court (ICC). The Trump administration escalated its campaign against the ICC by withdrawing from the Rome Statute and, on August 18, imposing asset freezes and financial sanctions on ICC President Judge Tomoko Akane and senior trial lawyer Abdoulaye Seye. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio labeled the ICC a 'corrupt and fatally-politicised supranational court.' EU leaders, including diplomatic chief Kaja Kallas, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and Council President António Costa, voiced support for the ICC. However, ICC officials and some EU lawmakers want stronger action, with ICC President Akane having urged the EU in March 2025 to extend the blocking statute to cover the court. The move reflects broader tensions between the US and multilateral institutions.