NUUK/COPENHAGEN: After months of tension over U.S. President Donald Trump's threats to take control of Greenland, the island's government and residents have welcomed a new military agreement with the United States and Denmark.

The deal has eased fears about a possible U.S. takeover, although many Greenlanders remain deeply cautious about Washington.

"I am incredibly relieved and think the outcome is very sensible. We can be satisfied," Greenlandic MP Naaja Nathanielsen, who sits in the Danish parliament, told Reuters.

Parliament speaker Kim Kielsen called on households to raise the Greenlandic flag on September 23. Activist and influencer Orla Joelsen also encouraged people in the capital, Nuuk, to gather at the airport to welcome Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen and Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt after their return from New York, where the agreement was reached.

The agreement allows the U.S. to increase its military presence in Greenland and reopen Cold War-era bases in Narsarsuaq and Mestersvig. The move could bring new U.S. spending, investment, and employment opportunities to the island.

However, the agreement does not meet Trump's earlier demand for the U.S. to annex Greenland. Trump had argued that taking control of the Arctic territory was necessary to counter the growing presence of Russia and China in the region.

Nathanielsen said there had already been a major U.S. military presence in Greenland. But she noted that the tensions of recent years had increased public skepticism and that more work would be needed to reassure Greenland's population.

The U.S. first built military bases in Greenland during World War II. During the Cold War, it operated 17 military installations and had more than 10,000 personnel there to monitor Soviet forces. Today, only Pituffik Space Base remains, with around 150 U.S. military personnel.

Pitanguaq Mikissen, 69, a retired ship assistant, said reopening some former U.S. bases could provide greater security for Greenland's population of about 57,000.

However, other residents remained unhappy about the agreement.

"I think that Trump is really good at creating a lot of worry and a lot of fear," said Jensia Dam-Davidsen, 40, a voice and choir teacher. She said the agreement appeared particularly troubling because Denmark had also increased its military presence in Greenland.

Denmark has significantly expanded its military role in Greenland since Trump's threats peaked in January. It has deployed additional troops, increased spending on Arctic defense and hosted allied forces during military exercises.

Malene Vahl Rasmussen, mayor of the Kujalleq municipality in southern Greenland, where the U.S. plans to reopen the Narsarsuaq base, said any American military expansion must respect Greenlandic traditions and protect hunting and fishing activities.

"You can't simply say, 'Okay, we've signed this, so now we trust you again'. Trust really needs to be rebuilt within that partnership," she told Reuters.

Some Greenlanders remain concerned that greater military activity, including more aircraft and ships, could interfere with hunting and fishing areas that local communities depend on. The agreement says such activities must respect Greenlandic society and its traditional way of life.