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Operating segments - Consolidated sales revenue by destination (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015
Disclosure Of Geographical Areas [Line Items] |  |  |
Percentage of consolidated sales revenue | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00%
Consolidated sales revenue | $ 40,030 | $ 33,781 | $ 34,829
China [member] |  |  |
Disclosure Of Geographical Areas [Line Items] |  |  |
Percentage of consolidated sales revenue | 44.20% | 43.60% | 42.20%
Consolidated sales revenue | $ 17,706 | $ 14,742 | $ 14,701
Asia (excluding China and Japan) [member] |  |  |
Disclosure Of Geographical Areas [Line Items] |  |  |
Percentage of consolidated sales revenue | 12.80% | 13.90% | 12.90%
Consolidated sales revenue | $ 5,108 | $ 4,692 | $ 4,499
United States [member] |  |  |
Disclosure Of Geographical Areas [Line Items] |  |  |
Percentage of consolidated sales revenue | 14.30% | 13.90% | 15.30%
Consolidated sales revenue | $ 5,716 | $ 4,709 | $ 5,321
Japan [member] |  |  |
Disclosure Of Geographical Areas [Line Items] |  |  |
Percentage of consolidated sales revenue | 11.70% | 11.30% | 11.40%
Consolidated sales revenue | $ 4,701 | $ 3,809 | $ 3,974
Europe (excluding UK) [member] |  |  |
Disclosure Of Geographical Areas [Line Items] |  |  |
Percentage of consolidated sales revenue | 7.50% | 7.60% | 8.40%
Consolidated sales revenue | $ 3,015 | $ 2,579 | $ 2,909
Canada [member] |  |  |
Disclosure Of Geographical Areas [Line Items] |  |  |
Percentage of consolidated sales revenue | 2.80% | 3.00% | 3.80%
Consolidated sales revenue | $ 1,111 | $ 1,024 | $ 1,322
Australia [member] |  |  |
Disclosure Of Geographical Areas [Line Items] |  |  |
Percentage of consolidated sales revenue | 1.80% | 2.00% | 2.40%
Consolidated sales revenue | $ 710 | $ 675 | $ 830
United Kingdom [member] |  |  |
Disclosure Of Geographical Areas [Line Items] |  |  |
Percentage of consolidated sales revenue | 1.10% | 1.20% | 0.90%
Consolidated sales revenue | $ 449 | $ 391 | $ 330
Other countries [member] |  |  |
Disclosure Of Geographical Areas [Line Items] |  |  |
Percentage of consolidated sales revenue | 3.80% | 3.50% | 2.70%
Consolidated sales revenue | $ 1,514 | $ 1,160 | $ 943

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