Key Differences Between European and American Libertarians Revealed at LibertyCon Europe 2026

European Libertarians Gather in Madrid for LibertyCon 2026

On April 24–26, 2026, LibertyCon Europe—the premier annual conference for European libertarian students, academics, and activists—convened in Madrid. The event marked my first attendance since 2014, as I was invited to deliver two talks and engage with attendees to assess the current ideological landscape of European libertarians, many of whom identify as classical liberals.

Shared Concerns, Divergent Priorities

European and American libertarians exhibit significant overlap in their core concerns, including excessive government spending, burdensome regulations, online censorship (often justified as child protection), and protectionist trade policies. The exchange of ideas between the two groups remains robust, as Austrian economist F.A. Hayek observed:

"The growth of ideas is an international process."

Key Differences: Nationalism and Trumpism

Despite these similarities, several critical distinctions emerged:

1. Views on Donald Trump

European libertarians overwhelmingly hold a negative view of Donald Trump and his administration. While a faction of American libertarians shares this sentiment, others adopt an "anti-anti-Trump" stance—arguing that Trump, despite his flaws, is preferable to his opponents—or even actively support him. Among European libertarians, these latter perspectives are virtually nonexistent.

Multiple attendees at the conference asked whether I considered Trump the worst U.S. president in history. I responded that while Trump is working toward that "distinction," he has not yet surpassed figures like Woodrow Wilson, Andrew Johnson, or a handful of others. Regardless of the answer, the prevalence of the question underscored a stark divide.

2. Rejection of Nationalist Ideologies

Trump’s promotion of an American nationalist ideology resonates poorly with non-Americans, particularly Europeans. However, the antipathy extends beyond Trump to right-wing nationalist parties in Europe itself, such as:

• Germany’s AfD (Alternative for Germany)
• France’s National Rally (formerly the National Front)
• Other nationalist movements across the continent

Hungarian attendees celebrated the recent electoral defeat of authoritarian nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, whose regime exemplified the dangers of nationalism. Orbán’s policies were widely praised by "national conservatives" and "postliberals" in the U.S. and Europe, but European libertarians view such ideologies with deep skepticism.

3. Economic Liberty Under Threat

One of my talks at the conference examined how nationalism now poses the greatest threat to economic liberty in most of Europe and beyond. The data and discussions reinforced the idea that European libertarians are far more attuned to the risks of nationalism than their American counterparts.

Conclusion: A Clear Ideological Divide

While European and American libertarians share fundamental concerns about government overreach, their perspectives on nationalism—and particularly Trumpism—reveal a widening gap. European libertarians’ uniform opposition to nationalist ideologies, both domestic and foreign, suggests a more cohesive and globally minded movement compared to the fragmented landscape in the U.S.