Segment Information (Reconciliation to Consolidated Income Statements) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
		Jun. 30, 2017		Jun. 30, 2016		Jun. 30, 2017		Jun. 30, 2016
Segment Information
Segment operating earnings		$ 1,757		$ 1,613		$ 3,748		$ 3,330
Segment significant (charges) / benefits		(160)		74		(146)		6
Non operating pension and other post employment benefit costs		(104)		(133)		(208)		(207)
Net exchange losses		(140)		(15)		(199)		(136)
Corporate (expenses) income	[3]	(267)	[1],[2]	(113)	[4]	(463)	[1],[2]	160	[4],[5]
Interest expense		(99)		(93)		(183)		(185)
Income from continuing operations before income taxes		987		1,333		2,549		2,968
Merger related transaction costs		216		76		386		100
Pre-tax benefit on associated accrued interest reversals						50
2017 Restructuring Program [Member]
Segment Information
Restructuring reserve, accrual adjustment		(160)				(308)
2016 Restructuring Program [Member]
Segment Information
Restructuring reserve, accrual adjustment				44				28
Corporate Expenses [Member]
Segment Information
Merger related transaction costs		$ (216)		(76)		(386)		(100)
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				$ 46				$ 60
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 six months ended June 30, 2017, respectively, associated with the 2017 restructuring program. See Note 4 for additional information.

[2] Includes a $47 benefit on accrued interest reversals recorded in other (loss) income, net, in the company's interim Consolidated Income Statement for the six months ended June 30, 2017, respectively, 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 $(216) and $(386) in the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, respectively, and $(76) and $(100) in the three and six months ended June 30, 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 $46 and $60 net benefit recorded in employee separation / asset related charges, net in the company's interim Consolidated Income Statements for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, respectively, 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 (loss) income, net, in the company's interim Consolidated Income Statement for the six months ended June 30, 2016. See Note 3 for additional information.