December 6, 2007
News Release 07-120
Inv. No. 731-TA-1135 (P)
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819

The United States International Trade Commission (ITC or Commission) today determined that there is a reasonable indication that a U.S. industry is materially injured by reason of imports of sodium metal from France that are allegedly sold in the United States at less than fair value.

Vice Chairman Shara L. Aranoff and Commissioners Deanna Tanner Okun, Charlotte R. Lane, Irving A. Williamson, and Dean A. Pinkert voted in the affirmative. Chairman Daniel R. Pearson voted in the negative.

As a result of the Commission's affirmative determination, the U.S. Department of Commerce will continue to conduct its antidumping investigation of imports of this product from France, with its preliminary determination due on or about March 31, 2008.

The Commission's public report Sodium Metal from France (Investigation No. 731-TA-1135 (Preliminary), USITC Publication 3973, December 2007) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigation.

Copies of the report are expected to be available after January 4, 2008, by calling 202-205-2000 or from the Office of the Secretary, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436. Requests may also be faxed to 202-205-2104.

Product Description: The merchandise covered by this investigation includes sodium metal (Na), in any form, at any purity level. The merchandise subject to this investigation is classified in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States ("HTSUS") as subheading 2805.11.0000.

Status of Proceedings:

1.  Type of investigations:  Preliminary antidumping.
2.  Petitioner:  E.I. DuPont de Nemours & Co.
3.  Preliminary investigation instituted by the USITC:  October 23, 2007.
4.  Commission's conference:  November 13, 2007.
5.  USITC vote:  December 6, 2007.
6.  USITC determinations to the U.S. Department of Commerce:  December 7, 2007.
7.  USITC views to the U.S. Department of Commerce:  December 14, 2007.


U.S. Industry:

1.  Number of producers in 2006:  One
2.  Location of producers' plants:  Niagara Falls, NY.                         
3.  Employment of production and related workers in 2006: (1)
4.  Apparent U.S. consumption in 2006: (1)
5.  Ratio of the value of total U.S. imports to total U.S. consumption in 2006: (1)


U.S. Imports: (2)

1.  From France during 2006:  $13.8 million.
2.  From other countries during 2006:  $0.4 million.

(1) Withheld to avoid disclosure of business proprietary information.
(2) Compiled from official Department of Commerce statistics.