Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

DEBT AND BORROWING ARRANGEMENTS (Details)

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DEBT AND BORROWING ARRANGEMENTS (Details)
SFr in Millions, $ in Millions
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2017
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2017
CHF (SFr)
Dec. 31, 2016
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2015
Short-term Debt [Line Items]        
Commercial paper borrowings outstanding $ 12,931   $ 12,330  
Weighted-average interest rates for commercial paper outstanding (as a percent) 1.40%   0.80%  
Line of Credit Facility $ 9,199      
Lines of credit for general corporate purposes 7,295      
International        
Short-term Debt [Line Items]        
Line of Credit Facility $ 274      
Total principal notes due October 2, 2017 [Domain]        
Short-term Debt [Line Items]        
Extinguishment of long-term debt | SFr   SFr 200    
Long-term Debt, Percentage Bearing Fixed Interest, Percentage Rate 0.00%     0.00%
Total principal notes dues October 27, 2017 [Domain]        
Short-term Debt [Line Items]        
Extinguishment of long-term debt $ 750      
Long-term Debt, Percentage Bearing Fixed Interest, Percentage Rate 0.875%     0.875%
Total principal notes due November 16, 2017 [Domain]        
Short-term Debt [Line Items]        
Basis spread on variable rate used (as a percent) 0.05% 0.05% 0.05%  
Extinguishment of long-term debt $ 225