Business Segments - Business Segment Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019
Business Segment Information
Net sales	$ 8,350	$ 7,991	$ 23,601	$ 24,025
Operating Income	1,909	2,011	5,312	4,849
Assets	45,390		45,390		$ 44,659
Depreciation and amortization			1,413	1,130
Capital expenditures			1,079	1,161
Property, Plant and Equipment - net	9,216		9,216		$ 9,333
Gain/(loss) on sale of businesses		106	389	114
Total operating expenses	6,441	5,980	18,289	19,176
Other expense (income), net	104	45	311	349
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest	1,805	1,966	5,001	4,500
Business Segments.
Business Segment Information
Operating Income	2,096	1,945	5,401	5,592
Business Segments. | Safety and Industrial
Business Segment Information
Net sales	3,024	2,829	8,627	8,729
Operating Income	823	647	2,185	1,931
Business Segments. | Transportation and Electronics
Business Segment Information
Net sales	2,314	2,500	6,489	7,305
Operating Income	552	637	1,416	1,747
Business Segments. | Health Care
Business Segment Information
Net sales	2,160	1,721	6,088	5,290
Operating Income	508	459	1,270	1,401
Business Segments. | Consumer
Business Segment Information
Net sales	1,417	1,342	3,911	3,862
Operating Income	358	313	914	821
Corporate and Unallocated
Business Segment Information
Net sales		28	(1)	98
Significant litigation-related (charges)/benefits			(17)	(548)
Gain/(loss) on sale of businesses		106	389	114
Divestiture-related restructuring actions			(55)
Other corporate expense - net	(187)	(40)	(406)	(309)
Total operating expenses	(187)	66	(89)	(743)
Elimination of Dual Credit
Business Segment Information
Net sales	(565)	(429)	(1,513)	(1,259)
Operating Income	$ (145)	$ (111)	$ (384)	$ (308)