You don't trade family for anything

[kingston_123]

In the jungle, a child welfare member, Paula, says to Ricky Baker, who is trying to escape from her. She asks him to tell his uncle whereabouts so she can put him in a new foster home.

Paula: We'll find you a new foster home; a new Bella.
Ricky Baker: No deal.
Paula: Oh, come on, Sarah Connor. Don't be a fool.
Ricky Baker: You don't trade family for anything.

What is the meaning of "You don't trade family for anything"? Does it mean Paula used to trade family with anything and Rcky Baker doesn't like it?
Source: Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016)

 

[JMurray]

What is the meaning of "You don't trade family for anything"? Does it mean Paula used to trade family with anything and Rcky Baker doesn't like it?
Source: Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016)

No. Paula is trying to force Ricky to tell her where his uncle is hiding. Ricky refuses. When he says, "You don't trade family for anything", he is stating that a person should not make a deal that puts a family member in a vulnerable situation, just to get a personal advantage.

Here, "trade" has the meaning of exchange or barter, with the added sense of betrayal in this context.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

In the jungle, a social worker, Paula, asks Ricky Baker, who is trying to escape from her, to tell her his uncle's whereabouts so she can put Ricky in a new foster home.

Paula: We'll find you a new foster home; a new Bella.
Ricky Baker: No deal.
Paula: Oh, come on, Sarah Connor. Don't be a fool.

Do you understand why she calls him Sarah Connor? Have you seen the movie Terminator? If you haven't, do. It's lots of fun and a great slice of American culture.

Ricky Baker: You don't trade family for anything.

What is the meaning of "You don't trade family for anything"?

As JMurray says, it means you don't give up your family for any reason.

Does it mean Paula used to trade family with anything and Rcky Baker doesn't like it?
Source: Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016)

I loved Hunt for the Wilderpeople!