Europe Expresses Concern Over Trump's ICC Sanctions, Urges Dialogue

Europe expressed concern on the 9th over the Donald Trump U.S. administration's sanctions against the International Criminal Court (ICC) and decided to find ways for the ICC to continue its mission despite the sanctions.

In a statement that day, the European Commission stated, "The EU will work closely to ensure that the ICC continues to operate effectively," adding, "We will do our utmost to protect and respect the independence of the ICC by cooperating with all 125 states parties to the Rome Statute."

Referring to the six-month grace period granted by the Trump administration to U.S. companies and individuals dealing with the ICC, the EU hinted at the possibility of negotiation, saying, "There is room for dialogue."

Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten, whose country hosts the ICC headquarters, also stated during a joint press conference with European Council President Antonio Costa that it is important there is time for dialogue before the sanctions take effect.

The foreign ministers of Denmark, Germany, France, Italy, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Japan issued a joint statement reaffirming their steadfast support for the ICC, stating, "If the sanctions are triggered, they will have a significant impact on the court's work, its dedicated staff, and their families."

Dutch Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen said he has asked the European Commission to prepare to invoke blocking regulations to neutralize U.S. sanctions.

The EU's blocking regulation is a measure that forces companies and individuals within the bloc not to comply with sanctions imposed by third countries.

It was originally a system created to prevent European companies from suffering disadvantages caused by U.S. sanctions on Cuba and Iran.

Since the launch of his administration in January of last year, Trump has repeatedly imposed sanctions on ICC jurists and staff members, demanding the dissolution of the ICC.

On this day, the administration intensified the pressure by sanctioning the ICC as a whole and stating it expects cooperation from its allies.

Many of the ICC officials who were previously placed on the sanctions list have already had their U.S. corporate email and financial transaction accounts, including Apple, Amazon, and PayPal, blocked.

In preparation for additional U.S. sanctions, the ICC has replaced its work-related Microsoft software with openDesk, a German-made public sector program software, and has prepared ways to bypass financial transaction sanctions.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.