US and Mexican carriers were authorised to cross the border under the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement, but the US has refused to allow Mexican trucks access over concerns of their ability to meet US safety and environmental standards.

US President Barack Obama said the nations had "found a clear path to resolving" the roadblock in relations.

In a news conference with Mexico's Felipe Calderon, Mr Obama pledged to speed aid to Mexico's anti-drug effort.

The Mexican president's two-day visit to Washington comes amid increasing tensions between the two nations.

The announcement of the trucking deal comes roughly two weeks after the killing of a US agent in Mexico and leaked US criticism of Mexico's war on drugs, both of which have soured a relationship between the nations that had appeared to be improving in recent years.