Abstract
Historically, international trade law has, at best, been agnostic to the needs of Indigenous Peoples. Consequently, the dynamics of trade, both past and present, have often marginalized Indigenous communities, exacerbating economic inequality, poverty, and environmental degradation. International trade agreements, including those under the World Trade Organization (WTO) and various Preferential Trade Agreements (PTAs), frequently overlook Indigenous rights, cultural norms, and economic needs. Recent policy shifts, however, indicate a growing acknowledgment of the value in using trade agreements to both empower Indigenous communities to participate in foreign trade and protect them from unwanted influences.

This chapter delves into the historical relationship between Indigenous Peoples and trade, discusses relevant provisions in WTO and PTA agreements, and proposes reforms aimed at promoting more equitable and inclusive trade practices. By positioning Indigenous communities as central actors in trade negotiations and policy-making, this work advocates for a meaningful reform that supports sustainable development and protects the rights and interests of Indigenous Peoples, ultimately moving towards a more just global trade system.

Bio
Sergio Puig de la Parra specialises in international economic law, including investment and trade law, business and human rights, and empirical legal methods. He holds a joint Chair in International Economic Law at the European University Institute and serves at the Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies. He is also the Evo DeConcini Professor of Law at the University of Arizona, where he was the director of the International Trade and Business Law Program.

Puig has held teaching positions at Stanford University, Duke University, University of Sydney, and the University of Colorado Boulder. He is a co-founder of TradeLab, an organization aimed at promoting clinical education and providing legal assistance in international trade and investment law.

As an active scholar, Puig has published extensively in leading journals and has co-edited the Journal of International Economic Law since 2020. His book, "At the Margins of Globalization: Indigenous Peoples and International Economic Law," highlights his commitment to exploring complex issues within international law and governance and his interest in the boundaries and intersections of different legal fields.