Silicon Metal From Republic of Kazakhstan: Final Results of the Expedited First Sunset Review of the Countervailing Duty Order

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE International Trade Administration [C-834-811] Silicon Metal From Republic of Kazakhstan: Final Results of the Expedited First Sunset Review of the Countervailing Duty Order AGENCY: Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce. SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) finds that revocation of the countervailing duty (CVD) order on silicon metal from Kazakhstan would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of countervailable subsidies at the levels indicated in the “Final Results of Sunset Review” section of this notice. DATES: Applicable June 26, 2026. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David De Falco, Trade Agreements Policy and Negotiations, Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20230; telephone: 202-482-2178. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background On April 19, 2021, the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) published the Order on silicon metal from Kazakhstan. 1 On March 2, 2026, Commerce published the notice of initiation of the first sunset review of the Order, pursuant to section 751(c) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (the Act) and 19 CFR 351.218(c). 2 1   See Silicon Metal from the Republic of Kazakhstan: Countervailing Duty Order, 86 FR 20365 (April 19, 2021) ( Order ). 2   See Initiation of Five-Year (Sunset) Reviews, 91 FR 10053 (March 2, 2026). On March 17, 2026, Commerce received a notice of intent to participate in this review from Ferroglobe USA, Inc. (Ferroglobe) and Mississippi Silicon LLC (Mississippi Silicon) (the domestic interested parties), within the deadline specified in 19 CFR 351.218(d)(1)(i). 3 the domestic interested parties claims that it has interested party status within the meaning of section 771(9)(C) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.102(b)(29)(v) as a manufacturers and producers of the domestic like product. 4 3   See Domestic Interested Parties' Letter, “Silicon Metal from the Republic of Kazakhstan: Notice of Intent to Participate in Sunset Review,” dated March 17, 2026 (Notice of Intent). 4   Id. at 2. On April 1, 2026, Commerce received an adequate substantive response from the domestic interested parties, within the 30-day deadline specified in 19 CFR 351.218(d)(3)(i). 5 On April 1, 2026, Commerce received a submission for a substantive response from the Government of Kazakhstan. 6 On April 6, 2026, Commerce received a rebuttal to the Government of Kazakhstan's substantive response from the domestic interested party. 7 Commerce did not receive a substantive response from any other respondent interested parties. Accordingly, on April 30, 2026, Commerce notified the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) that it did not receive an adequate substantive response from respondent interested parties. 8 As a result, Commerce conducted an expedited (120-day) sunset review of the Order, pursuant to section 751(c)(3)(B) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.218(e)(1)(ii)(B)(2) and (C)(2). 5   See Domestic Interested Parties' Letter, “Silicon Metal from the Republic of Kazakhstan: Substantive Response to Notice of Initiation,” dated April 1, 2026 (Substantive Response). 6   See Government of Kazakhstan's Letter, “Silicon Metal from the Republic of Kazakhstan—Substantive Response and Comments (Five-Year (Sunset) Review),” dated April 1, 2026. 7   See Domestic Interested Parties' Letter, “Silicon Metal from the Republic of Kazakhstan: Rebuttal to Substantive Response to Notice of Initiation,” dated April 6, 2026. 8   See Commerce's Letter, “Sunset Reviews Initiated March 2, 2026,” dated April 9, 2026. Scope of the Order The product covered by this Order is silicon metal from Kazakhstan. For the full description of the scope of the Order, see the Issues and Decisions Memorandum. 9 9   See Memorandum, “Issues and Decision Memorandum for the Final Results of the Expedited Sunset Review of the Countervailing Duty Order on Silicon Metal from Republic of Kazakhstan,” dated concurrently with, and hereby adopted by, this notice. Analysis of Comments Received A complete discussion of all issues raised in this sunset review, including the likelihood of continuation or recurrence of subsidization and the countervailable subsidy rates likely to prevail if the Order were to be revoked, is contained in the accompanying Issues and Decision Memorandum. 10 A list of the topics discussed in the Issues and Decision Memorandum is attached as an appendix to this notice. The Issues and Decision Memorandum is a public document and is on file electronically via Enforcement and Compliance's Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Centralized Electronic Service System (ACCESS), which is available to registered users at https://access.trade.gov. In addition, complete versions of the Issues and Decision Memorandum can be accessed directly at https://access.trade.gov/frnotices. 10   Id. Final Results of Sunset Review Pursuant to sections 751(c) and 752(b) of the Act, Commerce determines that revocation of the Order would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of countervailable subsidies at the following net countervailable subsidy rates:   Producers/exporters Net countervailable subsidy rate (percent ad valorem ) Tau-Ken Temir LLP and JSC NMC Tau-Ken Samruk 160.00 All Others 160.00 Notification Regarding Administrative Protective Orders This notice also serves as the only reminder to parties subject to administrative protective order (APO) of their responsibility concerning the return or destruction of proprietary information disclosed under APO in accordance with 19 CFR 351.305. Timely notification of the return or destruction of APO materials, or conversion to judicial protective, orders is hereby requested. Failure to comply with the regulations and terms of an APO is a violation which is subject to sanction. Notification to Interested Parties We are issuing and publishing these final results in accordance with sections 751(c), 752(b), and 777(i)(1) of the Act, and 19 CFR 351.221(c)(5)(ii). Dated: June 23, 2026. Scot Fullerton, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Operations. Appendix List of Topics Discussed in the Issues and Decision Memorandum I. Summary II. Background III. Scope of the Order IV. History of the Order V. Legal Framework VI. Discussion of the Issues 1. Likelihood of Continuation or Recurrence of a Countervailable Subsidy 2. Net Countervailable Subsidy Rates Likely to Prevail 3. Nature of the Subsidies VII. Final Results of Sunset Review VIII. Recommendation [FR Doc. 2026-12960 Filed 6-25-26; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P