Here in Rome, vessels cause minor problems (7)
I believe the answer is:
hiccups
'minor problems' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both states of affairs as well as being plural nouns.
Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?
'here in rome vessels' is the wordplay.
'here in rome' becomes 'hic' ('here' in Latin).
'vessels' becomes 'cups' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'hic'+'cups'='HICCUPS'
'cause' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for hiccups that I've seen before include "spasmodic attacks" , "Involuntary contractions" , "Minor setbacks" , "Minor hitches" .)