Income taxes - Income tax reconciliation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Income taxes
Income before income taxes	$ 6,816	$ 7,829	$ 7,984
Statutory rates (as a percent)	34.00%
Income taxes at statutory rates	$ (2,317)	(2,662)	(2,715)
Adjustments that affect the basis of taxes:
Income tax benefit from interest on stockholders' equity	873	728	87
Tax incentives	576	372	344
Equity results	104	35	107
Additions (reversals) of tax loss carryforward	1,510	99	(273)
Unrecognized tax losses of the year	(458)	(432)	(708)
Nondeductible effect of impairment	(24)	(43)	(97)
Others	(92)	408	474
Income taxes	$ 172	$ (1,495)	$ (2,781)

The amount of profit (loss) for a period before deducting tax expense. [Refer: Profit (loss)]

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The applicable income tax rate.

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The aggregate amount included in the determination of profit (loss) for the period in respect of current tax and deferred tax. [Refer: Current tax expense (income); Deferred tax expense (income)]

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The amount that represents the difference between the tax expense (income) and the product of the accounting profit multiplied by the applicable tax rate(s) that the entity does not separately disclose in the same statement or note. [Refer: Accounting profit; Applicable tax rate]

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The amount that represents the difference between the tax expense (income) and the product of the accounting profit multiplied by the applicable tax rate(s) that relates to tax losses. [Refer: Accounting profit]

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The product of the accounting profit multiplied by the applicable tax rate(s). [Refer: Accounting profit; Applicable tax rate]

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The amount representing the difference between the tax expense (income) and the product of the accounting profit multiplied by the applicable tax rate(s) that relates to additions (reversals) of tax loss carryforward.

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The amount representing the difference between the tax expense (income) and the product of the accounting profit multiplied by the applicable tax rate(s) that relates to equity results.

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The amount representing the difference between the tax expense (income) and the product of the accounting profit multiplied by the applicable tax rate(s) that relates to interest on stockholders' equity.

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The amount representing the difference between the tax expense (income) and the product of the accounting profit multiplied by the applicable tax rate(s) that relates to nondeductible effect of impairment.

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The amount representing the difference between the tax expense (income) and the product of the accounting profit multiplied by the applicable tax rate(s) that relates to tax incentives.

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