Trump Urges Nations To Quit ICC As Naoero Becomes Latest Country To Announce Withdrawal

US President Donald Trump urged countries to leave the International Criminal Court (ICC), calling it “evil” and a “rogue institution”. So far, however, only Naoero, the Pacific island nation formerly known as Nauru, has announced its withdrawal during the UN General Assembly week.

Trump’s call on Tuesday marked a further escalation in Washington’s campaign against the Hague-based court. The US argues that the ICC has exceeded its authority by claiming jurisdiction over nationals of countries, including the United States and Israel, that have not ratified the Rome Statute, the court’s founding treaty.

The ICC has 125 member states, and while several countries have moved to withdraw, a number of governments, particularly in Europe, have defended the court as an important institution of international justice.

Netherlands Defends ICC At UN

Netherlands Prime Minister Rob Jetten told the UN General Assembly on Thursday that the ICC was “under attack” and facing serious risks, without directly referring to the United States.

“How can you possibly be opposed to prosecuting the very worst crimes?” Jetten asked, calling for countries to protect the ICC and other institutions that uphold the international legal order. His remarks received loud applause from delegates.

The United States has imposed financial sanctions and visa restrictions on ICC officials and staff. People familiar with the matter said US officials have also prepared additional measures that could affect the court’s ability to operate.

Rubio Calls For ICC To Be Dismantled

In July, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio launched a diplomatic campaign to “dismantle the ICC — brick by brick, if necessary”. He argued that the court posed a threat to US military personnel and officials involved in the Trump administration’s immigration deportations and strikes on suspected drug-trafficking vessels.

Trump has also linked the campaign to the ICC’s arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his former defence minister and a Hamas military commander over the Gaza war.

Since Rubio announced the campaign, Venezuela and Chad have said they intend to withdraw from the court. Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger announced their withdrawal the previous year, accusing the ICC of serving as an instrument of “neocolonial repression”.

Naoero Announces Withdrawal

Naoero President David Adeang said in his address to the UN General Assembly on Tuesday that his country would formally withdraw from the Rome Statute, citing the ICC’s “increasing irrelevance”.

US Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Michael DeSombre welcomed the decision, saying Naoero had joined countries challenging what he described as the ICC’s “illegitimate overreach”.

Europe Rallies Behind ICC

The European Union has backed the ICC, while officials have discussed possible measures to counter any US sanctions that could affect the court.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the bloc had tools available to defend the court and was working at the UN to rally broader international support.

“This is not only a European issue; it’s much broader than that,” Kallas said, stressing the importance of accountability and the ICC’s continued functioning.

ICC President Tomoko Akane, a Japanese national who is already under US sanctions, has also received support from Japan. Tokyo described the proposed sanctions as “very unfortunate” and sent an official to The Hague to discuss ways to support her.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi reiterated her country’s support for the ICC during her UN General Assembly address, saying Japan has attached importance to the rule of law in resolving international disputes since the end of World War II.

ICC Faces Pressure From US And Russia

Brian Finucane, a senior adviser at the International Crisis Group, said many countries remain committed to the ICC’s accountability mission, potentially limiting the impact of Washington’s campaign.

He also pointed to Russia’s opposition to the court after it issued an arrest warrant for President Vladimir Putin, arguing that the Trump administration’s sanctions against ICC personnel have brought Washington and Moscow into alignment on the issue.