I don’t think you can be sure that the Senate will approve anyone the president nominates. Much more difficult for Democrats and weak-kneed Repubs to oppose a woman or person of color. Moreover, it’s not at all clear that nominating a white male will help Trump win re-election. Just my opinion.
Is Chengdu your home town?
I stopped there for several nights in October 1976 on my way to Shuifu in Yunnan Province.