Business Segments - Business Segment Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Business Segment Information
Net sales	$ 8,851	$ 8,075
Operating Income	1,994	1,663
Gain/(loss) on sale of businesses		2
Total operating expenses	6,857	6,412
Other expense (income), net	49	75
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest	1,945	1,588
Safety and Industrial
Business Segment Information
Net sales	3,327	2,927
Operating Income	811	694
Transportation and Electronics
Business Segment Information
Net sales	2,531	2,239
Operating Income	591	464
Health Care
Business Segment Information
Net sales	2,248	2,104
Operating Income	509	452
Consumer
Business Segment Information
Net sales	1,373	1,250
Operating Income	289	265
Business Segments.
Business Segment Information
Operating Income	2,041	1,762
Corporate and Unallocated
Business Segment Information
Net sales	(2)
Significant litigation-related (charges)/benefits		(17)
Gain/(loss) on sale of businesses		2
Other corporate expense - net	(47)	(84)
Total operating expenses	(47)	(99)
Elimination of Dual Credit
Business Segment Information
Net sales	(626)	(445)
Operating Income	$ (159)	$ (113)