Germany backs ICC as Trump sanctions court staff

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul visited the International Criminal Court in The Hague on Monday in a show of support for the tribunal.
Wadephul said the German government completely supports the court and wants to keep it workable. The visit comes as US President Donald Trump calls the ICC a rogue institution and urges countries to withdraw from it.
The Trump administration has sanctioned 13 of the court’s staff members, including prosecutors and nine judges. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has launched what he called a sweeping campaign to dismantle the court.
Officials in the Netherlands, the court’s host country, have been warned that sanctions on the entire court are imminent. Such measures could block the court’s access to financial and IT services and stop it paying staff.
The court has 125 member states. One option under discussion is the EU’s blocking statute, which could stop European companies from complying with the US measures.
Why it matters: the standoff exposes a deep split between Washington and its European allies over international justice and accountability.
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