EU bets on diplomacy, not blocking statute, to protect ICC from Trump sanctions

by · EUobserver

US President Donald Trump delivers remarks during a Columbus Day event in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, USA, 09 October 2026. (Source: EPA/AARON SCHWARTZ / POOL)

EU and the World

Unlock article and share
By Nikolaj Nielsen,
Brussels
,

The EU is shying away from triggering rules that would shield people and companies working at or with the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague from US sanctions, preferring instead months-long diplomatic outreach.

The European Commission on Wednesday (14 October) told reporters in Brussels that it was doing everything to seek “practical solutions”, while hoping that its diplomacy will help the court, which prosecutes people for war crimes, genocide, and other atrocities.

“We haven’t made any decisions yet. But we continue to discuss at every level,” said a commission spokesperson, when pressed on whether a little-known blocking statue, which would presumably damper the impact of the US sanctions, remains an option.

And an EU summit in Brussels on Thursday is expected to ask the US to reverse the decision, according to draft conclusions seen by EUobserver.

The EU’s little-known “blocking statute” would prevent EU companies and banks from complying with the sanctions. It was first used against US sanctions on Cuba, Iran and Libya.

The Trump administration had, last Friday, announced financial sanctions on the ICC as part of a larger assault to dismantle the court, after it issued arrest warrants for Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, its former defence minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas military commander Mohammed Deif.

To read this story, log in or subscribe

Enjoy access to all articles and 25 years of archives, comment and gift articles. Become a subscriber for as low as €1,75 per week.

Read without limits
Already a subscriber? Login
Unlock article and share

Latest from Donald Trump

Morocco emboldened by strong US ties, amid fears of second migrant surge into Spanish enclaves

Trump’s US troop cuts in Europe envisage ‘Nato 3.0’ – but also leave a risky ‘transition gap’

Latest from ICC

Listen: Could the EU shield the ICC from US sanctions?

EU urged to use obscure blocking statute to protect International Criminal Court from Trump sanctions

Latest from Rule of Law

Who ordered the strike that killed my friend and maimed me? The EU must demand answers from Israel

EU’s 2026 rule‑of‑law report doesn’t trigger real action, says human rights watchdog

Latest from Sanctions

Who really owns Czech Vanadium? Investigators trace possible sanctions-evasion links to Russian oligarch Abramovich

Why Oxygen Forensics US tech CEO selling software to Europe agencies was arrested

Latest from US

‘When you laugh at a dictator, you take away his power’: Artist behind viral naked Trump statue speaks out

EU disowns Vilnius event that warned of US political interference, but France maintains support

Latest from EU and the World

EU and Turkey explore closer trade ties to reduce dependence on China

Von der Leyen pledges more cash for Egypt and Libya regimes to keep Sudanese genocide victims out of Europe

US President Donald Trump delivers remarks during a Columbus Day event in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, USA, 09 October 2026. (Source: EPA/AARON SCHWARTZ / POOL)

Topics

Author Bio

Nikolaj Nielsen joined EUobserver in 2012 and covers home affairs. He is originally from Denmark, but spent much of his life in France and in Belgium. He was awarded the King Baudouin Foundation grant for investigative journalism in 2010.

+ Follow author by email