BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Union will be ready for tough negotiations with the United States to protect its own interests against the threat of heightened trade tariffs, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Tuesday.

"Our first priority is now to work on the many areas where our interests converge, from critical supply chains to emerging technologies. To work out any grievances and to set the foundations for a stronger partnership," von der Leyen said in a speech.

"We will be open and pragmatic in how to achieve that. But we will make it equally clear that we will always protect our own interests -however and whenever that is needed."

(Reporting by Bart Meijer; Editing by GV De Clercq)