Equity method investments - Summarized Financial Information of Equity Method Investments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2022	May 31, 2021	May 31, 2022	May 31, 2021
Income Statement [Abstract]
Sales	$ 32,597	$ 34,030	$ 100,254	$ 98,247
Gross profit	6,572	7,153	21,855	20,564
Net earnings (loss)	229	1,173	4,566	1,899
Share of earnings (loss) from equity method investments	132	672	359	(591)
Equity Method Investment
Income Statement [Abstract]
Sales	65,085	55,890	200,628	171,417
Gross profit	3,308	2,558	10,117	7,647
Net earnings (loss)	$ 602	$ 489	$ 1,474	$ (3,841)