Segment Information (Schedule of Segment Information) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Net sales	$ 7,743	$ 7,405
Segment operating earnings	1,991	1,717
Agriculture [Member]
Net sales	3,928	3,786
Segment operating earnings	1,236	1,101
Segment net assets	9,131		$ 6,342
Increase in net assets	2,789
Electronics & Communications [Member]
Net sales	510	452
Segment operating earnings	89	59
Industrial Biosciences [Member]
Net sales	368	352
Segment operating earnings	75	63
Nutrition & Health [Member]
Net sales	789	801
Segment operating earnings	121	104
Performance Materials [Member]
Net sales	1,368	1,249
Segment operating earnings	355	273
Protection Solutions [Member]
Net sales	747	729
Segment operating earnings	177	176
Other Segment [Member]
Net sales	33	36
Segment operating earnings	(62)	(59)
Operating Segments [Member]
Segment operating earnings	$ 1,991	$ 1,717