The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) has repealed protectionist measures against Brazilian orange juice. The surcharges imposed on the Brazilian product had been in force since 2006, in order to protect orange production in the United States. At that time the United States considered that the orange juice from Brazil was exported at prices below those practiced in the internal market, which characterizes dumping. According to a spokesperson for the Brazilian Foreign Ministry, the measure benefiting Brazilian citrus growers and exporters was taken unilaterally by the United States government. The Ministry highlighted that this is not part of the panel opened by the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2009 at the request of the Brazilian government, which questioned the adoption of protectionist measures. At the time, the WTO positioned itself in favor of the Brazilian request. The decision is part of an international agreement establishing that anti-dumping measures are to be removed five years after they enter into force. In order to extend the application of surcharges on imported products it is necessary for the WTO to reassess the case.