New Delhi, March 5 -- The rupee appreciated by 19 paise to close at 87.00 (provisional) against the US dollar on Wednesday on sharp pullback in domestic equities, a weak American currency and a decline in crude oil prices.

Forex traders said US President Donald Trump's tariff escalation has set off a chain reaction in global markets, sending the dollar into a downward spiral.

At the interbank foreign exchange, the rupee witnessed high volatility. It opened at 87.18 then touched the intraday high of 86.93 and the low of 87.20 against the greenback. The unit ended the session at 87.00 (provisional) against the dollar, registering a gain of 19 paise from its previous closing level.

Meanwhile, the dollar index, which gauges the greenback's...