What does the General Prohibitions under EAR forbid?

The General Prohibitions under the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) specifically address restrictions on certain activities that relate to the export of goods and services. The correct response focuses on the aspect of knowingly proceeding with a transaction when aware that a violation of the EAR is likely to occur. This prohibition is crucial because it helps to ensure compliance with U.S. export laws and regulations, which are put in place to protect national security and foreign policy interests. This means that individuals or entities cannot engage in actions that they know could contribute to violations of the law, reinforcing the need for due diligence and awareness in exporting activities.

The other choices do not accurately reflect the essence of the General Prohibitions; for example, engaging in transactions without a license is indeed a violation of the EAR, but it does not capture the intent behind the prohibition against knowingly violating regulations. Additionally, transferring controlled items to authorized users is a permissible activity provided it complies with licensing requirements, and therefore does not fall under the prohibitions established by the EAR.