Permissions when formatting usb hdd

Using MX linux, about to format a 3T usb hard drive. I did this once before while using Linux Mint, later using that drive with MX. The files put on it from Mint now have root permissions and I can't add to them or otherwise make changes without going to root. Files from MX are fine.

Is there anything I should do or be careful of when formatting this new usb hdd?