Jun 7, 2004 4:05 PM, from staff and wire reports

Ending a lengthy dispute with unions and safety and environmental groups, the United States Supreme Court has ruled that trucks from Mexico can begin serving the entire United States as soon as the Bush administration declares the border open in compliance with the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

The court ruled unanimously in favor of admitting Mexican truckers. This ruling is based on a set of narrow issues that focus on the president’s authority to open the border and on a decision that the federal agency overseeing truck safety has no authority to intervene. Although a separate study on the impact of allowing Mexican motor carriers to operate in the United States is being prepared, opponents to the final implementation of NAFTA no longer can prevent Mexican trucks from entering the United States beyond border commercial zones.