by the topology on the whole network structure is undeniable. In fact, the observed properties turn out to be important in explaining macroeconomics dynamics. For instance, the degree of a country has substantial implications for economic growth and a good potential for explaining episodes of financial contagion [@KaliReyes2007; @Kali_Reyes_2010_contagion].

The introduction of null models in the analysis of the WTW has allowed to (re)interpret the results of the network approach in the light of traditional economic analyses [@Feenstra2004], where most country-specific macroeconomic variables (total trade, number of trade partners, etc.) can be rephrased in terms of first-order (local) properties of nodes. Recent studies [@Squartini_etal_2011a_pre; @fagiolo2013null; @squartini2012triadic] have shown that much of the binary architecture of the WTW can be reproduced by a null model controlling for the (in- and out-) degrees of all countries. This null model is known as the Binary Configuration Model (BCM). The agreement between the BCM and the real WTW holds both at the aggregate level and at a ‘multiplex’ [@multiplex_prl; @multiplex_ginestra; @multiplex_porter; @multiplex_latora] level (i.e. for every different commodity-specific layer of the network) [@Squartini_etal_2011a_pre; @fagiolo2013null]. This result has important consequences for trade modelling, because it highlights the need for revised macroeconomic theories aimed at reproducing 