Segment Information (Reconciliation to Consolidated Income Statements) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2017		Mar. 31, 2016
Segment Information
Segment operating earnings		$ 1,991		$ 1,717
Segment significant benefits / (charges)		14		(68)
Non operating pension and other post employment benefit costs		(104)		(74)
Net exchange (losses) gains		(59)		(121)
Corporate (expenses) income	[3]	(196)	[1],[2]	273	[4],[5]
Interest expense		(84)		(92)
Income from continuing operations before income taxes		1,562		1,635
Merger related transaction costs		170		24
Pre-tax benefit on associated accrued interest reversals		50
2017 Restructuring Program [Member]
Segment Information
Restructuring reserve, accrual adjustment		(148)
2016 Restructuring Program [Member]
Segment Information
Restructuring reserve, accrual adjustment				(16)
Corporate Expenses [Member]
Segment Information
Merger related transaction costs		(170)		(24)
Gain on sale of entity				369
Corporate Expenses [Member] | 2017 Restructuring Program [Member]
Segment Information
Restructuring reserve, accrual adjustment		(4)
Corporate Expenses [Member] | 2016 Restructuring Program [Member]
Segment Information
Restructuring reserve, accrual adjustment				$ 14
Continuing Operations [Member]
Segment Information
Pre-tax benefit on associated accrued interest reversals		47
Continuing Operations [Member] | Corporate Expenses [Member]
Segment Information
Pre-tax benefit on associated accrued interest reversals		$ 47

[1] Includes a $(4) charge recorded in employee separation / asset related charges, net in the company's interim Consolidated Income Statement for the three months ended March 31, 2017 associated with the 2017 restructuring program. See Note 4 for additional information.

[2] Includes a $47 benefit on accrued interest reversals recorded in other income, net, in the company's interim Consolidated Income Statement for the three months ended March 31, 2017, related to a reduction in the company’s unrecognized tax benefits

[3] Includes transaction costs associated with the planned merger with Dow and related activities of $(170) and $(24) in the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, which were recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses in the company's interim Consolidated Income Statements. See Note 2 for additional information.

[4] Includes a $14 net benefit recorded in employee separation / asset related charges, net in the company's interim Consolidated Income Statement for the three months ended March 31, 2016 associated with the 2016 global cost savings and restructuring plan. See Note 4 for additional information.

[5] Includes a gain of $369 associated with the sale of DuPont (Shenzhen) Manufacturing Limited entity, which held certain buildings and other assets. The gain was recorded in other income, net, in the company's interim Consolidated Income Statement for the three months ended March 31, 2016. See Note 3 for additional information.