Trump Moves to Blacklist Countries for Wrongful Detention of Americans

U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday signed an executive order creating a blacklist of countries accused of unjustly detaining American citizens, introducing tough penalties that could include sanctions, export restrictions, and travel bans.

The new measure designates such nations as “state sponsors of wrongful detention,” echoing the long-standing U.S. practice of branding governments as state sponsors of terrorism.

“With this order, you are drawing a line in the sand that U.S. citizens will not be used as bargaining chips,” presidential aide Sebastian Gorka said during the Oval Office announcement.

Although no countries were officially named, senior officials disclosed that China, Iran, and Afghanistan are under review for engaging in what Washington describes as “hostage diplomacy.”

Sanctions would extend not only to governments but also to officials directly involved in wrongful detentions, who would be barred from entering the United States. In a rare move, the State Department could also prohibit American citizens from traveling to countries placed on the list. At present, the only nation under a strict U.S. travel ban is North Korea, following the high-profile case of American student Otto Warmbier, who died after being detained there in 2016.

The blacklist could also apply to non-state actors that exercise territorial control. Officials said the executive order aims to streamline U.S. responses, reducing what they described as the “burdensome” processes previously required.

The Trump administration has highlighted its track record of securing the release of Americans held abroad, claiming that 72 detainees have been freed under its watch.

The State Department will retain the power to remove countries from the list if they are deemed to have come into compliance.

Efforts to secure the release of U.S. citizens have spanned multiple administrations. Under former President Joe Biden, China freed all Americans classified as wrongfully detained after Washington softened its travel advisory on the country, which had negatively impacted business relations.