Instead of .trim() you can use $.trim() like this:
$(".topline strong").digits().each(function () {
var s = $(this), c = "change";
if (s.hasClass(c) && s.text().replace(/%/gi, "") > 0) { s.addClass("positive"); }
if (s.hasClass(c) && $.trim(s.text()).charAt(0) == "-") s.addClass("negative");
});
Also note the s changes, there's no need to clone it as another jQuery object each time, it already is one so use it :) As for the error: .trim() isn't in all browsers, this is why jQuery includes the $.trim() function (same reason it has $.inArray(), IE doesn't have .indexOf()).
Also when declaring variable use var, otherwise you're creating global variables.
As an aside for future readers of this, jQuery 1.4.3+ will use the native String.prototype.trim if it's available when calling $.trim().