Remove space from beginning of data field

Use 'trim' function the "Before record added" for the Add page and "Before record updated" on the Edit page.
For example on the add page: $values['country'] == trim($values['country'])
On the edit page, use: $values['country'] == trim($values['country']) // assuming they are editing the field name in question.

If they aren't editing it, you could use something like this:
if ( $values['country'] == '' )

$values['country'] == trim($oldvalues['country']) // This gets any existing fields with spaces and may be redundant if the field is already trimmed
Of course, use your field name, not my example (country)_

Thank you for pointing me in the right direction.
I figured it out... only use one "="

I was using "==" as you showed, this is where I was lost - no errors, but also didn't remove the spaces...
$values['product'] = trim($values['product']); ( removes spaces from the field )

$values['prod_descript'] = ltrim($values['prod_descript']); ( removes beginning spaces from the field )