Washington: President Donald Trump on Friday unveiled a sweeping new executive order designed to confront what his administration calls “hostage diplomacy,” granting the United States the authority to formally label countries as “state sponsors of wrongful detention.” The measure, modeled on the framework used against state sponsors of terrorism, enables Washington to impose harsh penalties including trade restrictions, visa bans, and economic sanctions on governments accused of unjustly holding American citizens abroad.
The executive order marks a significant escalation in the U.S. response to wrongful detentions, which Trump described as an increasingly common tool used by authoritarian states to gain political leverage. Under the order, Secretary of State Marco Rubio will have the authority to review cases, issue designations, and oversee diplomatic or punitive measures. Countries deemed guilty of such practices would first be warned and given the opportunity to correct course, but if they refuse, Washington could move swiftly with sanctions.
The policy comes against the backdrop of high-profile cases involving U.S. citizens detained in countries like Russia, China, Iran, Afghanistan, and Venezuela. Officials suggested these nations could be early candidates for designation. Trump pointed to his administration’s recent efforts, which have already secured the release of 72 Americans detained abroad, nearly equaling the number repatriated during his previous term in office. “No American should be used as a bargaining chip by foreign regimes,” Trump said while signing the order.
Advocacy groups welcomed the move, saying it strengthens Washington’s ability to pressure foreign governments into releasing unlawfully detained citizens. Mickey Bergman, vice president of Global Reach, a nonprofit working on behalf of hostages and detainees, called the order “a game-changer,” noting that it gives the U.S. leverage beyond diplomatic appeals. “It puts real teeth into America’s promise to bring our people home,” he said.
Still, critics warned that the measure could have unintended consequences. Human rights organizations expressed concern that labeling entire countries could amount to collective punishment, particularly when sanctions target populations already suffering under authoritarian regimes. Others fear that the new policy might worsen tensions with major powers like China and Russia, who have both been accused of politically motivated detentions.
The executive order also opens the door for new travel restrictions. U.S. officials hinted that individuals linked to designated governments could face visa bans, and broader advisories could be issued for Americans traveling to those regions. Analysts noted that the timing of the move just weeks before world leaders gather in New York for the UN General Assembly sends a strong message that Washington is prepared to act unilaterally if necessary to defend its citizens.
By institutionalizing the concept of “state sponsors of wrongful detention,” the Trump administration has added a new instrument to America’s diplomatic and economic arsenal. Whether it will deter foreign governments from holding Americans as political pawns remains uncertain, but the executive order leaves no doubt that Washington intends to raise the costs of such actions sharply.