Business Segments - Business Segment Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020
Business Segment Information
Net sales	$ 8,950	$ 7,176	$ 17,801	$ 15,251
Operating Income	1,971	1,740	3,965	3,403
Gain/(loss) on sale of businesses		387		389
Divestiture-related restructuring actions		(55)		(55)
Total operating expenses	6,979	5,436	13,836	11,848
Other expense (income), net	33	90	82	165
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest	1,938	1,650	3,883	3,238
Business Segments.
Business Segment Information
Operating Income	2,013	1,443	4,054	3,205
Business Segments. | Safety and Industrial
Business Segment Information
Net sales	3,254	2,657	6,581	5,584
Operating Income	718	623	1,529	1,317
Business Segments. | Transportation and Electronics
Business Segment Information
Net sales	2,482	1,937	5,013	4,176
Operating Income	546	360	1,137	824
Business Segments. | Health Care
Business Segment Information
Net sales	2,278	1,823	4,526	3,927
Operating Income	576	301	1,085	753
Business Segments. | Consumer
Business Segment Information
Net sales	1,482	1,231	2,855	2,481
Operating Income	311	278	600	543
Corporate and Unallocated
Business Segment Information
Net sales	1	1	(1)	1
Significant litigation-related (charges)/benefits				(17)
Gain/(loss) on sale of businesses		387		389
Other corporate expense - net	42	35	89	119
Total operating expenses	(42)	297	(89)	198
Elimination of Dual Credit
Business Segment Information
Net sales	(547)	(473)	(1,173)	(918)
Operating Income	$ (138)	$ (119)	$ (297)	$ (232)