A proposal by U.S. President Donald Trump for the United States, China, and Russia to jointly oppose the International Criminal Court emerged as one of the more notable moments from a two-day summit held in Beijing with Chinese President Xi Jinping, where talks ranged from the Ukraine war to broader global security concerns.
Trump’s suggestion came amid discussions that also touched on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine — though the White House did not include any reference to Russia-Ukraine negotiations in its official factsheet on the summit, nor did it announce any specific plans tied to the ICC.
The proposal carries particular weight given the ICC’s prior accusations against the Trump administration itself. The court had charged the administration with political exploitation, abuse of power, illegitimate judicial overstepping, and disregard for state sovereignty — allegations the White House denied.
Xi, for his part, has maintained what has been described as a “no limitations” partnership with Russia since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The Biden administration had repeatedly accused Beijing of supplying Russian forces with dual-use materials, including components used in drone strikes.
The war itself has grown increasingly volatile in recent days. Russia launched a record aerial assault on Kyiv, while Ukraine has carried out its own drone strikes near Moscow — attacks that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy defended as “entirely justified.” Trump, separately, has pushed for a three-day ceasefire timed to allow Russia to hold its Victory Day parade without the threat of Ukrainian drone strikes.
While Beijing and Washington have engaged before on the Russia-Ukraine conflict — including during a visit by former President Joe Biden — Trump’s ICC proposal marks a sharper rhetorical turn, one that aligns the U.S. with two governments the court has separately scrutinized.
