Udo Bullmann is a German Member of the European Parliament (MEP) representing the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) since 1999. He currently serves as Chair of the European Parliament Delegation for Relations with South Africa and is active in committees focused on development, international trade, and human rights.
Trump’s Exclusion of South Africa from G20 Summit
Recently, US President Donald Trump announced that South Africa would not be invited to the 2026 G20 Summit scheduled to take place in Miami. This decision follows tensions arising from South Africa’s handling of the G20 presidency transition after hosting the summit in Johannesburg. Trump’s move has sparked diplomatic reactions and debates on international cooperation.
Bullmann’s Supportive Statement to Brussels Morning Newspaper
In response to South Africa’s official reaction to the exclusion, MEP Udo Bullmann expressed his support in a statement to Brussels Morning Newspaper:
“We welcome the profoundly useful and fully justified statement from the G20-Presidency of South Africa.”
This underscores the EU Parliament’s recognition of South Africa’s position amid the controversy.
Diplomatic and Geopolitical Context
The exclusion led to strong reactions in South Africa, with President Cyril Ramaphosa condemning the decision and rejecting Trump’s accusations regarding governance and treatment of minority groups. Bullmann’s statement reflects broader European concerns about maintaining diplomatic dialogue and respect in global governance forums such as the G20.
This development highlights ongoing tensions within international relations as member states navigate complex political and diplomatic dynamics ahead of major global summits. Bullmann’s commentary through Brussels Morning Newspaper highlights the EU’s inclination to support cooperative engagement over exclusionary tactics.
