Business Segments and Geographic Information - Business Segment Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Business Segment Information
Net sales	$ 32,184	$ 32,136	$ 32,765
Operating Income	7,161	6,174	7,207
Assets	47,344	44,659
Depreciation and amortization	1,911	1,593	1,488
Capital expenditures	1,501	1,699	1,577
Property, Plant and Equipment - net	9,421	9,333
Gain/(loss) on sale of businesses	389	114	547
Total operating expenses	25,023	25,962	25,558
Other expense (income), net	450	462	207
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest	6,711	5,712	7,000
Safety and Industrial
Business Segment Information
Net sales	11,767	11,514	12,414
Operating Income	3,054	2,510	2,860
Assets	11,711	11,682
Depreciation and amortization	562	509	493
Capital expenditures	451	391	375
Transportation and Electronics
Business Segment Information
Net sales	8,827	9,591	10,104
Operating Income	1,927	2,221	2,643
Assets	6,997	6,871
Depreciation and amortization	429	401	390
Capital expenditures	454	390	339
Health Care
Business Segment Information
Net sales	8,345	7,431	6,821
Operating Income	1,828	1,858	1,918
Assets	14,531	14,790
Depreciation and amortization	626	392	262
Capital expenditures	251	264	245
Consumer
Business Segment Information
Net sales	5,336	5,151	5,127
Operating Income	1,249	1,124	1,084
Assets	2,567	2,428
Depreciation and amortization	140	134	126
Capital expenditures	120	130	115
Business Segments.
Business Segment Information
Operating Income	7,524	7,304	8,069
Corporate and Unallocated
Business Segment Information
Net sales	(1)	110	50
Assets	11,538	8,888
Depreciation and amortization	154	157	217
Capital expenditures	225	524	503
Significant litigation-related (charges)/benefits	(17)	(762)	(897)
Gain/(loss) on sale of businesses	389	114	547
Divestiture-related restructuring actions	(55)		(127)
Other corporate expense - net	(680)	(482)	(385)
Total operating expenses	363	1,130	862
Elimination of Dual Credit
Business Segment Information
Net sales	(2,090)	(1,661)	(1,751)
Operating Income	(534)	(409)	$ (436)
Americas
Business Segment Information
Property, Plant and Equipment - net	5,752	5,873
Asia Pacific
Business Segment Information
Property, Plant and Equipment - net	1,662	1,637
Europe, Middle East and Africa
Business Segment Information
Property, Plant and Equipment - net	2,007	1,823
United States
Business Segment Information
Property, Plant and Equipment - net	5,358	5,442
China/Hong Kong
Business Segment Information
Property, Plant and Equipment - net	$ 583	$ 553