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Income Taxes (Details 3) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
subsidiary
Dec. 31, 2010
subsidiary
Dec. 31, 2009
Operating Loss Carryforwards      
Pretax loss carryforwards $ 3,561    
Indefinite-lived loss carryforwards 2,430    
Decrease in income tax expense due to change in deferred tax valuation allowances 11    
Uncertain tax liabilities, noncurrent 109 98  
Uncertain tax liabilities, current 7 4  
Interest and penalties expenses (3) (2) 8
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits      
Balance at the beginning of the period 102 111 138
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year 13 1 1
Additions based on tax positions related to prior years 17 7 42
Settlement or clarification from tax authorities (7) (2) (81)
Expiration of statute of limitations (3) (7) (3)
Sale of Brazilian fertilizer nutrients assets   (6)  
Foreign currency translation (6) (2) 14
Balance at the end of the period 116 102 111
Unrecognized tax benefits, recognized by the end of 2012 7    
Net (increase) decrease in unrecognized tax benefits     27
Impact of favorable ruling from tax authorities     7
Other increase (decrease) in unrecognized tax benefits     4
Brazilian subsidiaries under examination, number 1 1  
Income tax paid, net 592 398 205
Estimated tax payments in excess of actual income tax paid 88   168
Brazil
      
Operating Loss Carryforwards      
Indefinite-lived loss carryforwards 2,119    
Maximum percentage of annual utilization of carryforward of loss 30.00%    
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits      
Settlement under Brazilian tax amnesty program     39
Total proposed adjustments 160 525  
The dismissal of a portion of 2010 Brazilian IRS proposed tax adjustments   $ 170