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Trade receivables (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2020 | Dec. 31, 2019 | Dec. 31, 2018
Disclosure of provision matrix [line items] |  |  |
Utilization of reversal of provisions for doubtful trade receivables | $ 19,294 | $ 19,348 | $ 18,567
Trade receivables [member] | Provision for doubtful receivable [member] |  |  |
Disclosure of provision matrix [line items] |  |  |
Provision for doubtful receivable at beginning of period | (95) | (126) | (190)
Impact of business combinations |  |  | (1)
Provisions for doubtful trade receivables charged to the consolidated income statement | (59) | (89) | (47)
Utilization of reversal of provisions for doubtful trade receivables | 13 | 12 | 39
Reversal of provisions for doubtful trade receivables | 53 | 53 | 61
Currency translation effects | (5) | 1 | 12
Provision for doubtful receivable at end of period | $ (93) | (95) | (126)
Continuing operations [member] | Trade receivables [member] | Provision for doubtful receivable [member] |  |  |
Disclosure of provision matrix [line items] |  |  |
Provisions for doubtful trade receivables charged to the consolidated income statement |  | (89) | (30)
Reversal of provisions for doubtful trade receivables |  | 53 | 44
Discontinued operations [member] | Trade receivables [member] | Provision for doubtful receivable [member] |  |  |
Disclosure of provision matrix [line items] |  |  |
Provision for doubtful receivable at beginning of period |  | $ 54 |
Provision for doubtful receivable at end of period |  |  | $ 54

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- Definition The increase in other provisions resulting from acquisitions through business combinations. [Refer: Business combinations [member]; Other provisions] + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef -Name IAS -Number 37 -IssueDate 2019-01-01 -Paragraph 84 -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=37&code=ifrs-tx-2019-en-r&anchor=para_84&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2019-03-27 + Details
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- Definition The amount of additional other provisions made. [Refer: Other provisions] + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Name IAS -Number 37 -IssueDate 2019-01-01 -Paragraph 84 -Subparagraph b -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=37&code=ifrs-tx-2019-en-r&anchor=para_84_b&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2019-03-27 + Details
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- Definition The increase (decrease) in other provisions resulting from foreign currency exchange rate changes on provisions measured in a currency different from the entity's presentation currency. [Refer: Other provisions] + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef -Name IAS -Number 37 -IssueDate 2019-01-01 -Paragraph 84 -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=37&code=ifrs-tx-2019-en-r&anchor=para_84&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2019-03-27 + Details
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- Definition The amount used (ie incurred and charged against the provision) for other provisions. [Refer: Other provisions] + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Name IAS -Number 37 -IssueDate 2019-01-01 -Paragraph 84 -Subparagraph c -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=37&code=ifrs-tx-2019-en-r&anchor=para_84_c&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2019-03-27 + Details
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- Definition The amount reversed for unused other provisions. [Refer: Other provisions] + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Name IAS -Number 37 -IssueDate 2019-01-01 -Paragraph 84 -Subparagraph d -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=37&code=ifrs-tx-2019-en-r&anchor=para_84_d&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2019-03-27 + Details
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