USD exchange rate today (May 20): USD decreased due to trade tensions...

Meanwhile, in the US market, the US Dollar Index (DXY) measuring the greenback's fluctuations against six major currencies (EUR, JPY, GBP, CAD, SEK, CHF) decreased by 0.71% to 100.38.

USD exchange rate today in the world

The US dollar fell sharply in the last trading session, hitting its lowest level in more than a week against the Japanese yen, Swiss franc and euro, all considered safe-haven currencies, amid rising trade tensions.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in television interviews on May 18 that President Donald Trump would impose tariffs at the level he introduced last month on trading partners that do not negotiate in “good faith”.

DXY Index volatility chart over the past 24 hours. Photo: Marketwatch

Previously, on May 16, credit rating agency Moody's announced that it had downgraded the US credit rating by one notch, from the highest level of Aaa to Aa1. Previously, in 2023, they had adjusted the US credit outlook from "stable" to "negative", due to increasing fiscal deficits and interest payments.

The news sent the greenback lower against major currencies after four straight weeks of gains, as the dollar was boosted by rising optimism over U.S. trade deals and a thaw in relations with China that eased fears of a global recession.

The greenback fell to 144.665 yen, its lowest since May 8, in the previous session, before closing down 0.5 percent at 144.98. The currency also fell to its lowest in more than a week against the Swiss franc, at 0.8317 franc.

In a contrasting development, the EUR increased 0.6% against the USD, reaching 1.1232 USD.

The pound also rose 0.6% against the greenback to $1.3355. Earlier in the session, the pound hit its highest level against the dollar since April 30, after Britain agreed to reset defense and trade relations with the European Union after Brexit.

Despite the dollar's depreciation, New York Federal Reserve President John Williams noted that the greenback remains the world's reserve currency.

On May 19, China called on the United States to maintain the stability of the international financial and economic system and protect the interests of investors.

That followed a stern warning from US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on May 18 to countries that do not negotiate in good faith with the US on trade.

President Donald Trump has also previously talked up potential deals with India, Japan and South Korea, although talks with Tokyo appear to be stalling over auto tariffs.

Meanwhile, the AUD rose 0.66% against the greenback, reaching $0.6444 after three days of declines, ahead of the Reserve Bank of Australia's policy announcement today, May 20, with a widely expected 25 basis point cut in the market.

The NZD also rose 0.5% against the USD to 0.5911.

USD exchange rate today, May 20: USD falls due to trade tensions. Photo: Reuters

USD exchange rate today in the country

In the domestic market, at the beginning of the trading session on May 20, the State Bank announced the central exchange rate of the Vietnamese Dong against the USD increased by 10 VND, currently at 24,970 VND.

* The reference exchange rate at the State Bank's transaction office increased slightly, currently at: 23,772 VND - 26,168 VND.

USD exchange rates at commercial banks are as follows: