Last month, Meloni accused Trump of fabricating a story about her after the US president told an Italian TV channel that she had "begged" him to take a photo with her at a G7 summit in France.

Tensions flared between Washington and Rome at the end of June when Trump claimed Meloni had "begged" him for a picture together in an effort to boost her ratings. #EuropeNews

ROME, July 6 (Reuters) - Italy's defence minister stressed the importance of good transatlantic relations on Monday after U.S. President Donald Trump again goaded erstwhile ally…