"We are also working...with the private sector players who own and operate most of US supply chains to find ways to ease the bottlenecks"

U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg faced criticism on social media Wednesday after appearing to make light of the possibility that the supply chain issue could impact Christmas gift-giving. He was asked during an interview with CNN about the millions of Americans who celebrate the approaching holiday and the possibility that there could be a supply shortage for various goods and presents.

"I think there have always been two kinds of Christmas shoppers," he said. "There’s the ones who have all their list completed by Halloween, and then there’s people like me who show up at the mall on Christmas Eve…if you’re in that latter bucket, obviously there’s going to be more challenges."