Investments (Gain of Realignment) (Details) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Gain of Realignment [Line Items]
Cash	$ 4,818
Carrying Value of Dow Corning Equity Investment	(1,560)
Carrying Value of HSG Equity Investment	(383)
Other	(199)	[1]
Gain	2,676
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Gain of Realignment [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Actuarial Gain (Loss)	260
Foreign Currency Transaction Gain, before Tax	$ 45

[1] Primarily consists of the release of accumulated other comprehensive income items related to unamortized actuarial losses related to Dow Corning's pension plan and foreign currency translation gains in the amounts of $260 million and $45 million, respectively.