How does the US use Puerto Rico?

Answer 1

The same way it uses any country under it's influence; it reaps the benefits of economic power. Corporations milk dollars out of franchises and cheap mass-produced consumer goods. Also, as a communications command center and strategic military post. Added: Puerto Rico is a self run Commonwealth with its own local laws. In the past Puerto Rico produced Sugar Cane and Coffee with its own cheap labor but in the past 20 years it has almost stopped ., Factories have closed due to loss of willing laborers ,