I am flying for a European carrier and only have US skippers all the time, and I know there are more of them on the other fleets, so it canīt be that difficult.
Most overseas pilots are flying on validations.
A friend of mine, an experienced Cpt., just converted his licence to JAA.
Yes you have to sit 14 exams for no reason and FAA might be easier on this.
The US just compensates that with immigration rules, let alone, work permits.
Itīs a global economy, but no government has heard about that so far.
You have to sit useless exams. If you do that, you get your job and most probably a better salary than at home, so whatīs your problem?
(all US pilots in Europe I know are here for the money, not the women, the food or anything else).