Immanuel Wallerstein explained this relationship as developed World Systems Theory. The system consists of three levels. First is the main core country which dominates and has control of the other two levels. The second is semi periphery, which is both a core and peripheral (dependent on capital and products to the core). The last is a dependent country to the core, peripheral.
The US is a core country that has assets in terms of capital and product that it extends to peripheral nations. In a way, it gains control over peripheral because of its economic dominance. This makes the US have an edge to the raw materials and skilled labor of the peripherals
